The Indian Railways is taking significant steps to manage the surging crowds headed to the Kumbh Mela, especially in the wake of the tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) that resulted in 15 deaths and 18 injuries. In a bid to prevent further congestion, the Railways is considering removing Kumbh-related advertisements and promotional materials from stations, particularly at NDLS, which may be attracting more passengers.
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Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared with The Hindu that up to 60 railway stations across India, including NDLS, have been identified as stations that handle high passenger volumes. At these locations, permanent holding areas are being planned to manage the additional rush. “Most passengers traveling to the Kumbh Mela come from a 300 km radius of Prayagraj. Stations like New Delhi, Patna, Aara, Danapur, and Buxar have been selected due to the heavy accumulation of crowds,” Vaishnaw explained. “We are collecting feedback from passengers, porters, and vendors as part of an ongoing campaign to implement measures to ease congestion,” he added.
The Tragic Stampede
The stampede at NDLS occurred at 8:49 p.m. when 20 to 25 passengers, some carrying heavy loads on their heads, started walking from Platform 14 to Platform 12. These passengers, expecting to catch the Prayagraj Special train, were unaware that both the Prayagraj Express and the Special train were scheduled to arrive almost simultaneously. The overcrowded conditions, compounded by the weight of the baggage, led to several people tripping and falling, causing a domino effect among the waiting crowd, resulting in the unfortunate incident.
The tragic event has sparked heightened concerns regarding crowd management, with Railway officials acknowledging the need for immediate action to control the growing number of Kumbh devotees arriving at the station.
Ongoing Crowd Surge and Measures to Manage Rush
According to Railway sources, the rush of passengers remains unprecedented, with no signs of it abating as had been previously anticipated. Since the commencement of the Mela, nearly 2.9 crore passengers have been ferried to the Kumbh by train. On February 16, just a day after the stampede, 18.48 lakh passengers were transported in 388 trains. By the evening of February 19, an additional 14 lakh passengers were moved through 266 trains. The authorities expect the Kumbh rush to continue escalating until February 26, which marks the end of the Mela.
In response to the rising numbers, the Railways has halted the sale of platform tickets until February 26 to prevent additional passengers from crowding the platforms. Additionally, to accommodate the swelling crowds, more special trains are being scheduled during peak hours, with authorities stating that unreserved ticket sales will not be capped as long as passengers are willing to travel.
Compensation for the Victims and Immediate Relief
In the aftermath of the stampede, the Railway Ministry has taken steps to provide compensation to the victims’ families. Despite existing guidelines restricting cash compensation to a maximum of ₹50,000, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained that the extraordinary nature of the situation necessitated the distribution of cash. Due to the urgency of the circumstances, the Railways distributed nearly ₹2 crore in cash to the families of the victims, as it was impractical to gather bank account details in time.
Future Crowd Control Protocols and Revisions to Railway Operations
The Railway Minister emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the Railways’ operational manuals to implement more effective crowd control strategies. Vaishnaw acknowledged that the current systems are not sufficient to handle such large-scale events, prompting the need for a major overhaul in order to ensure safety and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
As the Kumbh Mela continues, the Railways is focused on minimizing risks, improving infrastructure, and ensuring the safe and efficient transport of millions of pilgrims. With the crowds expected to grow over the coming days, authorities are doing everything they can to manage the situation while addressing the concerns of both passengers and officials.
