New Delhi: A major tragedy was narrowly avoided at New Delhi Railway Station on Sunday night as massive crowds gathered at platforms 12 and 13 due to significant train delays. The congestion created a near-stampede situation, raising concerns over passenger safety and crowd management at one of the busiest railway hubs in the country.
Several long-distance trains, including the Shiv Ganga Express, Swatantrata Senani Express, Jammu Rajdhani Express, Lucknow Mail, and Magadh Express, were delayed, resulting in a heavy rush of frustrated travelers. The scene bore a resemblance to past challenges faced during the Mahakumbh, where managing large crowds proved difficult.
Railway authorities and Delhi Police acted swiftly, deploying emergency crowd control measures to prevent chaos from escalating. Officials confirmed that, despite the panic and overcrowding, no injuries were reported.
The Ministry of Railways later issued a statement, clarifying that while there was a surge in passengers, there was no actual stampede. They assured that protocols for managing unreserved passengers in the holding areas were being followed to ensure safety.
However, the incident has reignited concerns over Indian Railways’ ability to handle peak-time congestion, particularly during delays. Experts have emphasized the urgent need for improved crowd control measures at major railway stations to prevent potential disasters in the future.
