New Delhi: A tragic stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night resulted in the death of at least 18 people and left several others injured. The incident, which occurred on platforms 14 and 15, is believed to have been triggered by overcrowding following the cancellation of two trains to Prayagraj. A two-member high-level committee has been formed to investigate the incident.
Investigation and Compensation Announced
The Railway Ministry has announced a compensation package for the victims, offering ₹10 lakh to the families of the deceased, ₹2.5 lakh for those with grievous injuries, and ₹1 lakh for individuals who sustained minor injuries. Meanwhile, the probe committee has begun its investigation, securing CCTV footage and gathering eyewitness testimonies. Fire officials confirmed that four fire tenders were deployed after receiving distress calls about the stampede at around 9:55 PM. The injured were promptly shifted to Lok Nayak Hospital for treatment.
What Led to the Stampede?
According to DCP (Railways) KPS Malhotra, a large crowd had gathered at platform number 14 due to the arrival of the Prayagraj Express. Passengers from Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani were also present at platforms 12, 13, and 14, leading to an uncontrollable rush. He further revealed that approximately 1,500 general tickets were being sold per hour, which contributed to the chaos.
Political Reactions and Criticism
The opposition has strongly condemned the incident, with the Congress party demanding the resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate held the minister responsible for the “mismanagement” at the railway station and called for his dismissal if he refuses to step down.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticized the government, stating on social media:
“One needs a conscience to feel remorse and guilt for incompetence that led to the loss of human lives. In the case of the minister, that train of conscience left the station long ago. Instead of resigning, the government will likely target the opposition and create mythical ‘conspiracy theories’ to divert attention.”
Meanwhile, AAP MP Raghav Chadha raised the issue in Parliament, questioning the fairness of charging full ticket prices while forcing passengers to travel in overcrowded conditions.
“Where is the justice in treating human beings like cattle after taking full fares from them?” Chadha remarked, sharing a video of his statement from Parliament.
As the probe continues, questions are being raised about railway safety and passenger management, with growing demands for accountability in the wake of this tragic incident.
