New Delhi Railway Station Stampede: New Delhi witnessed a tragic stampede at its railway station on Saturday night, claiming the lives of 18 people and leaving several others injured. The incident occurred around 10 PM as thousands of devotees rushed to board trains to Prayagraj for the upcoming Maha Kumbh 2025 festival.
Confusion Over Train Names Led to Panic
According to Delhi Police, the stampede was triggered by confusion between two similarly named trains—Prayagraj Express and Prayagraj Special. Passengers waiting at Platform 14 for the Prayagraj Express mistakenly assumed their train was arriving at Platform 16 after hearing an announcement. This led to a massive rush, causing overcrowding on Platforms 12, 13, and 14.
Adding to the chaos, four trains were scheduled to depart for Prayagraj, but three were delayed, leading to an unexpected surge of passengers. The overcrowding quickly escalated into a stampede as people scrambled to board the trains.
Train Placement and Delay Compounded the Situation
At the time of the incident, the Prayagraj Express was stationed at Platform 14, while Magadh Express, Swatantrata Senani Express, and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani were at Platforms 12, 13, and 15, respectively. These trains were running late, further increasing the crowd pressure at the station.
High-Level Inquiry Ordered
A high-level meeting was held by Delhi Police to review the initial findings of the stampede. A DCP-rank officer has been assigned to lead the inquiry, and a two-member committee has been formed to conduct a High-Level Investigation (HAG) into the incident.
Compensation Announced for Victims
The Indian Railways has announced financial aid for the victims’ families. The compensation includes:
- Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased
- Rs 2.5 lakh for those seriously injured
- Rs 1 lakh for passengers with minor injuries
Authorities have urged passengers to remain cautious and adhere to platform announcements to prevent such tragedies in the future. Further updates on the investigation and safety measures are expected soon.