New Delhi Station Cracks Down on Crowd Chaos: Platform Tickets Suspended, Strict Rules Imposed
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In the wake of the tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night, which claimed the lives of 18 people, the railway administration has announced five major changes to improve crowd management and prevent such incidents in the future. With the ongoing rush of passengers heading to the Maha Kumbh, these new measures are set to remain in effect until February 26, as the crowd is expected to stay large until then. The stampede, which resulted in the loss of 18 lives, including 9 women, 4 men and 5 children, has prompted an investigation into the causes of the chaos. The majority of the victims were from Bihar, with others from Delhi and Haryana. The government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the victims’ families. To manage the overwhelming crowd, the sale of platform tickets at New Delhi station has been suspended until February 26. Only family members accompanying elderly passengers will be allowed inside to drop them off.
In an effort to reduce crowding, entry to the platform will now only be allowed after a thorough ticket check. Additional railway staff and RPF jawans have been deployed for this process, and passengers will be allowed inside only after confirming their train timings to prevent congestion. To avoid chaos when trains arrive, passengers will now be asked to stand in an organized queue on the platforms. This measure, particularly for general and sleeper coaches, aims to ensure a smoother boarding process. Passengers traveling to Bihar and Jharkhand will be queued up before their trains arrive.
In a similar move to practices during Chhath Puja, waiting areas will be set up outside the station for passengers whose trains are delayed or those holding general tickets. This will reduce platform crowding, as only passengers with imminent train departures will remain on the platform. In light of the tragic incident, the escalators on platforms 14 and 15 have been closed and converted into stairs for the time being. One escalator was found to be faulty during the incident, and the railway has taken this step to avoid further accidents. The old SHO with crowd control experience has been deployed to manage the increased security presence at the station. These new measures are part of the railway administration’s ongoing efforts to prevent further tragedies and ensure the safety and comfort of passengers at New Delhi Railway Station. Passengers traveling through the station in the coming weeks are advised to follow the new protocols for a safer and more organized experience.
