In response to the tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday, Indian Railways is planning to revise existing rules and incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) to improve crowd management, according to sources cited by News18.
The stampede, which occurred amid heavy passenger traffic heading to the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, resulted in the deaths of 18 people, including nine women and five children.
Creation of Permanent Holding Areas
Following the incident, Indian Railways has announced plans to establish permanent holding areas at around 60 high-traffic stations across the country. These stations, selected for their heavy footfall during major events, will serve as designated waiting zones to prevent overcrowding. Stations involved in the current rush to Maha Kumbh Mela are among those being prioritized for this initiative.
AI-Powered Crowd Management
In addition to physical infrastructure improvements, the Indian Railways will also implement AI technology for crowd and crisis management. The move is part of a broader strategy to ensure better coordination and response in future scenarios. A special campaign will be launched to analyze the underlying causes of such incidents and to gather feedback from passengers, coolies, and shopkeepers to prevent similar tragedies.
Ticket Sales Halted for Crowd Control
To manage the overwhelming crowds, authorities at New Delhi Railway Station have decided to suspend ticket sales between 4 pm and 11 pm for the upcoming week. This measure aims to better control passenger numbers during peak hours.
Investigation into Stampede Incident
The stampede was reportedly triggered by confusion over two trains bound for Prayagraj, as per Delhi Police. However, eyewitnesses suggested that the last-minute platform change announcement for a special train to Prayagraj may have contributed to the chaos. An inquiry revealed that the rise in ticket sales for the special train, combined with the announcement, created a stampede-like situation.
A high-level committee has been set up by Indian Railways to investigate the incident. The committee, consisting of Narsingh Deo, Principal Chief Commercial Manager of Northern Railway, and Pankaj Gangwar, Principal Chief Security Commissioner of Northern Railway, has requested video footage from the New Delhi Railway Station to aid the probe.