New Delhi:

Millions of devotees from across India have been visiting the ongoing Maha Kumbh mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj – one that is held every 12 years – causing a huge rush in trains and traffic on roads. A wave of stampede-like incidents and angry passengers breaking train windows as they were unable to board the train to Maha Kumbh amid the rush have come to light recently.

Last night, at least 18 people, including 11 women and five children, died after a huge crowd of passengers caused by two delayed trains and a special Express train to Maha Kumbh led to a stampede at the New Delhi Railway station.

While eyewitnesses claimed that the stampede took place after a rumour spread among people that the Prayagraj Express was going to arrive on a different platform, the Railway authorities have repeatedly denied it. Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, CPRO Northern Railway said that there was already a huge rush on the station’s platform when a passenger slipped on the nearby stairs, leading to the deadly stampede.

According to the official, platforms number 13 and 14 at the New Delhi Railway station were already crowded as many people were waiting to board two trains – Magdh Express and another going towards Jammu – which were delayed. Amid this, a special train for Maha Kumbh, the Prayagraj Express, was to leave at 10:10 pm from platform number 14. As the time for the train to Prayagraj neared, more and more people started gathering on the platform, adding to the existing rush. During this time, more than a thousand general tickets were bought by passengers to go to Maha Kumbh, officials said.

“Trains were not cancelled, and the platform was not changed. All trains have been running as per its schedule,” he said.

The Railways has also formed a two-member high-level committee to probe the incident. Narsingh Deo, Principal Chief Commercial Manager of Northern Railway and Pankaj Gangwar, Principal Chief Security Commissioner of Northern Railway are a part of the committee, officials said.

The committee, which has commenced its inquiry, gave orders to secure all video footage of the New Delhi Railway Station.

How Railways is managing Maha Kumbh rush in Prayagraj

As millions of people are visiting Prayagraj, the railway authorities have made extensive security measures across the city’s stations.

Shashikant Tripathi, CRPO of North Central Railway told NDTV that they have been maintaining protocol at all railway stations in the city. “Through these protocols, either on normal day rush or key days like ‘mauni amavasiya’, we have made a smooth entry and exit for passengers. With the help of colour-coded areas, we have helped the passengers board and deboard trains safely.”

According to him, they do not need to enforce any new protocols.

“We have been working well with these protocols. In the case of Prayagraj junction, we only allow the passengers to enter through the city side and the exit is done through civil lines side. We have 4 passenger sheds which are colour-coded and directions have been defined on them. Whenever the limit of passengers crosses at these sheds, we activate the Kusrow Bagh area – from where the passengers can travel. All basic amenities have also been provided at these locations,” he added.

People board an overcrowded train for Prayagraj’s Mahakumbh, at the New Delhi railway station, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Congress on Sunday (February 15, 2025) accused the government of attempting to hide the truth about the deaths in the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station and said it has once again highlighted the “failure” of the Railways and the “insensitivity” of the government.

As many as 18 people lost their lives in a stampede overnight at the New Delhi Railway Station.

Also Read | Delhi Railway station stampede LIVE

Condoling the death of people in the incident, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said it was extremely shameful and condemnable that the Modi government was attempting to “hide the truth” about the deaths.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said better arrangements should have been made at the station in view of the large number of devotees going to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh.

“This incident once again highlights the failure of the Railways and the insensitivity of the government. Better arrangements should have been made at the station in view of the large number of devotees going to Prayagraj,” Gandhi said in a post on X.

“The government and the administration should ensure that no one has to lose their life due to mismanagement and negligence,” he also said.

Mr. Gandhi said the news of several people dying and many getting injured in the stampede is extremely sad and distressing.

“I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said.

In a post in Hindi on X, Kharge said, the news of many people dying in the stampede is extremely painful. The videos coming from the station are extremely heartbreaking, he said.

“The attempt by the Narendra Modi government to hide the truth about the deaths at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely shameful and condemnable. We demand that the number of dead and injured be declared as soon as possible and the identity of the missing people should also be ensured,” Kharge said while expressing condolences to the families of the dead.

He also called for better health facilities should be provided to the injured.

AICC general secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal said the stampede is shocking and deeply tragic.

“The visuals that have come out are scary, and point to a massive calamity. I convey my deepest condolences to the families of the innocent victims, and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.

“This kind of a disaster taking place in the national capital, under the direct watch of the Central Government, shows the government is utterly incompetent and is only capable of PR, not actual management,” he alleged.

The government has again tried to downplay the situation, he claimed, demanding when will we know the exact figures of the dead and injured.

“Why were crowd control measures not in place? Why did the railways not run special trains when they knew this crowd was to be anticipated in light of the Mahakumbh?” Mr. Venugopal said in a post on X.

Heavy rush of passengers to catch a train for Mahakumbh, at the New Delhi railway station, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. A stampede-like situation occurred at the station, injuring many.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Railways on Sunday (February 16, 2025) announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed in the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station.

Also Read | Delhi Railway station stampede LIVE

Those seriously injured will get ₹2.5 lakh and those with minor injuries ₹1 lakh, the railway said.

At least 18 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in the stampede that broke out late Saturday (February 15) night at the crowded railway station.

The stampede was preceded by a swell in crowd of passengers waiting to board trains for Prayagraj — where the Maha Kumbh is underway — on platform number 14 and 15 of the station.