New Delhi: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Delhi Police were deployed on Monday at the New Delhi Railway Station to manage the overwhelming crowd following a tragic stampede that resulted in 18 deaths and several injuries. According to official sources, CRPF will be working closely with Delhi Police for additional support, and senior CRPF officials are conducting inspections at the station.
The stampede, which occurred on Saturday, was reportedly triggered by confusion caused by announcements of trains with similar names starting with “Prayagraj.” The Prayagraj Special arriving at Platform 16 caused confusion because the Prayagraj Express was already stationed at Platform 14, leading to overcrowding and the subsequent stampede.
BJP MP Dinesh Sharma Expresses Concerns
BJP MP Dinesh Sharma expressed his deep concern over the tragic loss of lives, urging the opposition not to politicize the incident. “It is a very sad incident. The government is concerned about this issue. The railway department, as well as the central government, has done relief work, and whatever help could be given, they are also doing it,” Sharma stated.
Sharma also condemned opposition leaders for using the tragedy to gain political advantage, saying, “It is sad to see that opposition leaders are only looking for political benefit from a tragic incident like this.” He urged Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and others to refrain from using such sensitive events for political gains.
Railway Compensation Announced
In response to the incident, Indian Railways has announced compensation for the victims:
- Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased
- Rs 2.5 lakh for those seriously injured
- Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries
The stampede occurred as thousands of devotees were attempting to board trains for the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, and the situation became chaotic at the busy railway station.