The recent stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has raised serious concerns about passenger safety and crowd management. A detailed investigation by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has revealed the key reasons behind the tragic incident, which led to multiple casualties and injuries.

Reasons Behind the Stampede

Confusing Platform Announcements

• Passengers of a Prayagraj-bound Kumbh Special train were initially directed to Platform 12, but later the announcement changed to Platform 16, causing mass confusion.
• This led to thousands of people rushing through overcrowded footbridges and walkways, triggering the stampede.

Overcrowding Due to Maha Kumbh Rush

• The stampede happened during peak Maha Kumbh travel, with passenger numbers exceeding station capacity.
• The railway authorities failed to anticipate and manage the surge, leading to dangerous congestion in key areas of the station.

Lack of Proper Crowd Control Measures

• There were no clear exit routes or additional security personnel deployed to manage the massive crowd flow.
• Insufficient crowd control barriers made movement chaotic, worsening the situation.

Non-Functional CCTV Cameras and Delayed Response

• Several CCTV cameras were not working, making it difficult for officials to monitor real-time crowd movement.
• Emergency response teams were slow to react, causing further panic among passengers.

Who is Responsible?

✔ Railway authorities have been criticized for mismanagement and failing to plan adequately for the Maha Kumbh rush.
✔ The RPF report suggests that station officials and security personnel lacked coordination, leading to poor handling of passenger movement.
✔ The railway ministry is now under pressure to improve infrastructure and safety protocols at major stations.

What Happens Next?

• Authorities have ordered a full review of safety measures at major railway stations.
• Plans are being made to improve crowd management, upgrade surveillance, and ensure better communication of platform changes.
• Compensation and support have been announced for victims and affected families.