New Delhi railway station stampede; victims of security breaches

Official information is that 18 people have died so far in the stampede that took place at the New Delhi railway station on Saturday night. The death toll is likely to rise as nine of the injured are in critical condition in the hospital. Thirty people lost their lives in a similar stampede that took place two weeks ago in Prayagraj, the venue of the Mahakumbh Mela. There were allegations that this is not the real figure and that the UP government was hiding the correct figure. The Delhi railway station tragedy is another example that shows that no matter how many tragedies like this occur, those in charge are not learning any lessons about the safety arrangements that should be followed in places where people gather in an uncontrolled manner.

Shocking information has already come out that the people who had gathered at the railway station to go to Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh Mela had such horrific deaths due to the carelessness of the railway authorities. The unexpected rush on platforms 12 and 14 was due to the carelessness of the station authorities. The similarity in the names of the two trains that were to depart for Prayagraj and the confusion in giving the notification in this regard is what forced the passengers to rush to the same platform in droves. The passengers rushed to other platforms trampling on those who were resting on the station overpass. Many lost their lives in the stampede that ensued.

Even though a large crowd had gathered at the Delhi railway station to go to Prayagraj, there was no effective crowd control system in place. There was also insufficient police presence. In addition to everything, the authorities were unable to provide accurate information about the arrival and departure of trains. Since the beginning of the Kumbh Mela, there has been a huge rush not only in Delhi but also in many stations in North India. The failure to make necessary arrangements in view of this is what led to the huge loss of life at the Delhi railway station. The responsibility of the railways does not end with giving some money to the relatives of the deceased. The mistakes that have been made will not be corrected by appointing an inquiry commission as usual, submitting a report and keeping it in a cupboard. The railways must consider the safety of the passengers as its main responsibility.

If more passengers than usual gather, additional travel facilities should be provided if deemed necessary to control them. There will be more platforms at larger stations. There should be no confusion in giving accurate information about which platform the train will arrive at. Often, it is the last-minute announcements that cause congestion. The tragedy of being crushed to death at the Delhi railway station happened to those who were leaving for Prayagraj with the aim of fulfilling their life's ambition. This is nothing but a grave failure of our systems. The fact that a major accident occurred during the Kumbh Mela and another similar one had to be witnessed within days is due to the unpardonable negligence on the part of the Railways and those responsible for law and order. The authorities always maintain a complacent attitude when it comes to providing travel facilities to the common man. This attitude stems from the thought that the common man will reach his destination somehow.