- Stampede occurred on Saturday night (9 PM – 9:20 PM) amid overcrowding.
- 18 fatalities, several injured; rush linked to delayed trains & Maha Kumbh pilgrims.
- Railways bans platform ticket sales from 4 PM to 11 PM for a week (starting Monday).
- Over 9,600 general tickets booked between 6 PM & 8 PM—far exceeding the usual 7,000.
- Railway Ministry forms a two-member inquiry committee to investigate.
What Led to the Stampede?
The tragic incident at New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) was triggered by massive overcrowding on Platform 14, where the Prayagraj Express was stationed.
Factors Behind the Chaos:
- Two trains—Swatantrata Senani Express & Bhubaneswar Rajdhani—were delayed, leading to a passenger surge.
- Huge Maha Kumbh rush added pressure to already packed platforms.
- 9,600+ general tickets sold in just two hours (6 PM – 8 PM), exceeding the usual 7,000.
The result: A stampede between 9 PM – 9:20 PM that led to 18 deaths and several injuries.
Railways’ Immediate Response: Platform Ticket Ban & Investigation
New Restrictions on Platform Tickets
To control overcrowding, Northern Railway has banned the sale of platform tickets from 4 PM to 11 PM for one week.
Official Statement from the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO):
“This decision has been made to enhance crowd management and prevent similar incidents.”
Railway Ministry Inquiry Underway
The Railway Ministry has set up a two-member inquiry committee to investigate:
CCTV footage analysis from Platform 14 (Prayagraj Express station).
Crowd management lapses & railway staff response.
Impact of delayed train schedules on station congestion.
How Overcrowding Became a Major Issue at NDLS
NDLS Passenger Surge on the Day of the Incident:
| Time Slot | General Tickets Sold | Usual Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 PM – 8 PM | 9,600+ | 7,000 |
Maha Kumbh & holiday travel rush further intensified the crisis.
What’s Next? Will These Measures Be Enough?
The temporary platform ticket ban may reduce crowding, but experts argue that long-term solutions are needed:
Better crowd regulation at major railway hubs.
More frequent train services to accommodate passenger rush.
Real-time passenger information to avoid unnecessary waiting.
Stricter monitoring & entry-exit controls at stations.
