A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night has resulted in the deaths of 18 people, including 14 women and one man, while several others sustained injuries.
The incident occurred as thousands of devotees gathered at the station to travel to Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh Mela.
In response to the tragedy, Indian Railways has announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased, ₹2.5 lakh for the seriously injured, and ₹1 lakh for those with minor injuries.
Speaking on the incident, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Railways) K.P.S. Malhotra stated that the exact cause of the stampede would be determined following a thorough investigation led by the railway authorities. "We anticipated a large crowd, but due to the delay of two trains and an overwhelming number of passengers at the station, the situation escalated," Malhotra said.
He added that misinformation or sudden announcements can sometimes trigger panic, leading to such incidents.
Railway Ministry spokesperson Dilip Kumar also provided preliminary details, stating that a large number of passengers had arrived for the Prayagraj Express and Magadh Express late at night, mistakenly believing these were the last trains available. This confusion contributed to the chaos. The Railways has now formed a high-powered committee to investigate the matter.
Eyewitnesses reported that the stampede occurred on a footbridge rather than the platform.
According to some accounts, an announcement about a train’s arrival shifting from platform 12 to platform 16 caused panic, leading to a surge in movement and the subsequent stampede.
Small traders at the railway station described the situation as unprecedented, stating that despite the continuous operation of trains from Delhi to Prayagraj, the sheer size of the crowd overwhelmed security personnel.
The tragedy has sparked reactions from national leaders across the political spectrum.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media platform X, writing, "I am saddened by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with the bereaved families, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The administration is working to assist those affected."
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his sorrow, stating that the incident was deeply distressing.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the handling of the situation, calling it "shameful and condemnable." In a social media post, he demanded transparency regarding the number of casualties and urged authorities to provide immediate medical aid to the injured.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also weighed in, calling the incident "a tragic reflection of the railways' failure and the government’s negligence." He emphasized the need for better crowd management, especially during major religious events like the Mahakumbh Mela.
Delhi’s Caretaker Chief Minister Atishi visited LNJP Hospital to meet the injured. Following her visit, she posted on X, "This unfortunate accident is heartbreaking. The lack of proper transport and crowd management arrangements for devotees traveling to Prayagraj reflects the central and Uttar Pradesh governments’ indifference toward public safety."
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the incident as "shocking," assuring that railway officials were actively involved in relief efforts.
With the Mahakumbh Mela attracting millions of devotees, concerns are now being raised over the preparedness of railway authorities to manage such massive crowds. The investigation into the stampede is expected to shed light on any lapses in planning and security measures.
Meanwhile, the Railways has urged passengers to remain calm and follow official announcements to prevent further chaos. Enhanced security measures and additional train services are being considered to manage the ongoing surge of pilgrims traveling to Prayagraj.
Further updates on the investigation and relief measures are awaited.
( This story is published from a syndicated feed.)