"Railway Minister Discusses Causes of Delhi Station Calamity"
On the fateful day of February 15, 2023, a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station tragically claimed the lives of 18 people and injured approximately 15 more. The incident was caused by a heavy load falling and causing panic among travelers[1][2].
The incident occurred while passengers were waiting to board trains for Prayagraj. Consequently, passengers fell on each other due to the tripping on the stairs[2]. In response to the tragedy, a high-level inquiry committee was constituted to examine the circumstances leading to the incident[3].
The report by the high-level inquiry committee regarding the incident has been shared by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw[6]. He also acknowledged the tragedy and indicated that investigations into the cause and preparedness are ongoing, aiming for improved crowd management[4].
In an attempt to prevent similar incidents, new measures have been put in place by the railways. These include permanent holding areas, access control for confirmed ticket holders at 73 stations, wider foot overbridges, CCTV cameras, and war rooms at major stations[7].
On the day of the incident, 49,000 general tickets were sold at the railway stations, 13,000 more than the daily average[8]. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, expressed distress over the incident in a post on [X] that night[9].
Compensation has been provided to the victims and their families. Families of each victim received Rs 10 lakh, Rs 2.5 lakh was given to those seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh to those with simple injuries[5]. A total amount of Rs 2.01 crore has been paid to 33 victims and their family members[10].
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which ended in February, led to record ticket sales, emphasizing the importance of solid crowd management during such events[11]. It is worth noting that a separate stampede occurred the same day near Mansa Devi Temple in Haridwar related to a rumour of broken electric wires causing electrocution, but this is a different incident from the New Delhi Railway Station tragedy[1][2].
In a recent Rajya Sabha session, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw responded to a query by Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman regarding the status of the report of the committee investigating the incident at New Delhi Railway Station on February 15[6]. The minister stated that sufficient crowd management measures were in place on the day of the incident[6].
The tragedy at New Delhi Railway Station on February 15 serves as a stark reminder of the importance of effective crowd management, especially during high-density events like the Maha Kumbh Mela and rush hours at major transit points. It is hoped that the investigations and corrective measures taken will lead to improved safety and prevention of such incidents in the future.
- The tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on February 15, 2023, was a grim reminder of the need for better health-and-wellness measures to manage crowds, particularly during high-density events.
- Bathing in general-news coverage after the incident, it was revealed that a high-level inquiry committee had been constituted to examine the circumstances leading to the tragedy, and their report was shared by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
- In the realm of political discussions, the Union Railway Minister asserted that sufficient crowd management measures were in place on the day of the incident, while also acknowledging the ongoing investigations into its cause and preparedness.
