Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, offering condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a swift recovery to those injured.
Expressing his distress, PM Modi posted on X, “Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery. The authorities are assisting all those who have been affected by this stampede.”
Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw also conveyed his grief, stating, “Deeply saddened by the unfortunate stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station. My prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones. The entire team is working to assist all those who have been affected by this tragic incident.”
Incident Overview
The stampede took place on Saturday, leaving around 15 people injured. Authorities responded swiftly, dispatching four fire tenders from the Delhi Fire Service to manage the situation. The incident occurred due to an unexpectedly large number of passengers crowding the station, particularly on platform no. 14, where the Prayagraj Express was stationed.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Railway, KPS Malhotra, explained that delays in the Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani departures caused further congestion at platforms 12, 13, and 14. “Two trains were delayed, and due to the increased footfall, the crowd grew massive. A few people sustained injuries. As of now, the situation is under control. The sudden rush occurred within a span of 15-20 minutes after a special train was announced, prompting passengers to scramble to board it,” said Malhotra.
Investigation and Response
Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information & Publicity (ED/IP) at the Railway Board, revealed that authorities had arranged four additional special trains to manage the overcrowding. “We received information that a few people fainted – they have been admitted to a local hospital,” he stated.
In response, authorities temporarily restricted entry to the station to control the crowd. “A two-member high-level committee has been formed to investigate the matter. The situation is now under control, and passengers have been accommodated on special trains. Train operations at the station are normal,” Kumar added.
Reports indicate that around 1,500 general tickets were sold, contributing to an overwhelming crowd near platform no. 14 and the escalator at platform no. 1.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring safety measures are in place to prevent such incidents in the future.