New Delhi (India), February 16: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha on Sunday condemned the stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station, calling it “a glaring example of gross mismanagement and lack of crowd control measures.”
The tragic incident, which occurred around 10 pm on Saturday, resulted in the loss of 18 lives, including women and children, as lakhs of devotees were heading to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh 2025 festival, leading to severe overcrowding at the station. Chadha expressed his deep grief over the loss of innocent lives, sharing his condolences to the victims’ families.
In a post on X, he said, “The tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has shaken us all. Several innocent lives have been lost, including women and children. This disaster is a glaring example of gross mismanagement and lack of crowd control measures.”
He further revealed that he had raised concerns about the urgent need for improved crowd management protocols in Parliament on February 11, but claims the government ignored the warnings. “My deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Those responsible must be held accountable, and immediate reforms are necessary to prevent such tragedies in the future,” he added.
The incident unfolded when a passenger lost their balance on the stairs leading to platforms 14 and 15, causing a chain reaction that led to the stampede and several injuries. The Northern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) confirmed the details of the incident.
In response to the tragedy, a high-level meeting was held by senior Delhi Police officials on Sunday to discuss the preliminary inquiry report into the stampede. The Delhi Police have initiated an inquest, with the investigation being led by a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) rank officer. The police took action by deploying six additional companies to control the crowd, setting up barricades, and reviewing the adequacy of the station’s announcing system.
Furthermore, the Indian Railways has formed a two-member committee to probe the incident, with the committee comprising Narsingh Deo, Northern Railway’s Principal Chief Commercial Manager (PCCM), and Pankaj Gangwar, its Principal Chief Safety Commissioner (PCSC).
The investigation is expected to focus on identifying the factors that led to the overcrowding and any failures in safety protocols that contributed to the tragedy.