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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
When celebration turns to chaos: A grim pattern of stampede tragedies in India
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel On what should have been a jubilant day for Bengaluru, the atmosphere outside the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium turned harrowing. A celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's first Indian Premier League (IPL) title quickly spiraled into a nightmare. As the victorious team arrived in a bus on Wednesday evening, thousands of fans had gathered, waving team flags and chanting in euphoria. But the joy was short-lived — at least seven people were killed in a stampede that followed, as per TV visuals were chilling. A police officer was seen carrying a limp body to an ambulance. Another victim lay unconscious on the road as bystanders scrambled to help. A moment meant to honour sporting glory ended in trauma and loss, with many pointing to crowd mismanagement and a lack of preparedness for such a massive this is not an isolated three months ago, on February 15, New Delhi Railway Station witnessed a similar descent into chaos. Around 10 pm, platforms 13 and 14 were packed with more than 1,500 general ticket holders trying to board trains like the Prayagraj Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani. Overwhelming congestion, fainting spells, and panic led to a stampede-like situation that claimed 18 reports labelled it a stampede. The Railways later claimed it was 'only overcrowding.' But for families who lost loved ones in the crush of humanity, the terminology is cold comfort. Investigations pointed to a surge linked to the upcoming Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj — a pilgrimage known to draw tens of millions — but failed to explain how basic crowd management failed at one of India's busiest when it comes to the Maha Kumbh, tragedy has been a recurring visitor. In January 2025, during the Mauni Amavasya holy dip at the Sangam, a broken barricade on the overcrowded Akhara route triggered a deadly stampede. In the early hours between 1 and 2 AM, panic spread like wildfire. By the time order was restored, 30 were dead and over 60 injured. Despite advisories and emergency preparations, the weight of expectations—and people—proved too much once July 2024, an even graver disaster unfolded in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district. After a religious gathering addressed by preacher Saakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba, at least 116 people — mostly women and children — were crushed to death in a stampede. Survivors recounted a terrifying mix of poor infrastructure, blocked exits, and absolute pandemonium as the crowd surged, some seeking blessings, others simply trying to January 2022, at least 12 people died in a stampede at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir after a huge crowd tried to enter the narrow shrine in October 2013, around 115 devotees were killed and over a hundred injured at the Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh during Navratri celebrations, when more than 150,000 people converged on the February 2013, 36 pilgrims, mostly women, died in a stampede on the busiest day of the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh. The chaos began at the Allahabad railway station amid massive list goes these incidents, a pattern emerges: inadequate planning, lack of exit routes, broken barricades, absent or ineffective crowd control, and above all, a failure to respect the scale of public emotion that drives thousands — sometimes lakhs — to it's a cricket celebration, a railway rush, or a religious ritual, India continues to grapple with a grim truth — joy and devotion can turn deadly in the absence of foresight. Each tragedy leaves behind grieving families, unanswered questions, and a promise from authorities to investigate and improve.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
When celebration turns to chaos: A grim pattern of stampede tragedies in India
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel On what should have been a jubilant day for Bengaluru, the atmosphere outside the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium turned harrowing. A celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's first Indian Premier League (IPL) title quickly spiraled into a nightmare. As the victorious team arrived in a bus on Wednesday evening, thousands of fans had gathered, waving team flags and chanting in euphoria. But the joy was short-lived — at least seven people were killed in a stampede that followed, as per TV visuals were chilling. A police officer was seen carrying a limp body to an ambulance. Another victim lay unconscious on the road as bystanders scrambled to help. A moment meant to honour sporting glory ended in trauma and loss, with many pointing to crowd mismanagement and a lack of preparedness for such a massive this is not an isolated three months ago, on February 15, New Delhi Railway Station witnessed a similar descent into chaos. Around 10 pm, platforms 13 and 14 were packed with more than 1,500 general ticket holders trying to board trains like the Prayagraj Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani. Overwhelming congestion, fainting spells, and panic led to a stampede-like situation that claimed 18 reports labelled it a stampede. The Railways later claimed it was 'only overcrowding.' But for families who lost loved ones in the crush of humanity, the terminology is cold comfort. Investigations pointed to a surge linked to the upcoming Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj — a pilgrimage known to draw tens of millions — but failed to explain how basic crowd management failed at one of India's busiest when it comes to the Maha Kumbh, tragedy has been a recurring visitor. In January 2025, during the Mauni Amavasya holy dip at the Sangam, a broken barricade on the overcrowded Akhara route triggered a deadly stampede. In the early hours between 1 and 2 AM, panic spread like wildfire. By the time order was restored, 30 were dead and over 60 injured. Despite advisories and emergency preparations, the weight of expectations—and people—proved too much once July 2024, an even graver disaster unfolded in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras district. After a religious gathering addressed by preacher Saakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba, at least 116 people — mostly women and children — were crushed to death in a stampede. Survivors recounted a terrifying mix of poor infrastructure, blocked exits, and absolute pandemonium as the crowd surged, some seeking blessings, others simply trying to January 2022, at least 12 people died in a stampede at the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir after a huge crowd tried to enter the narrow shrine in October 2013, around 115 devotees were killed and over a hundred injured at the Ratangarh temple in Madhya Pradesh during Navratri celebrations, when more than 150,000 people converged on the February 2013, 36 pilgrims, mostly women, died in a stampede on the busiest day of the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh. The chaos began at the Allahabad railway station amid massive list goes these incidents, a pattern emerges: inadequate planning, lack of exit routes, broken barricades, absent or ineffective crowd control, and above all, a failure to respect the scale of public emotion that drives thousands — sometimes lakhs — to it's a cricket celebration, a railway rush, or a religious ritual, India continues to grapple with a grim truth — joy and devotion can turn deadly in the absence of foresight. Each tragedy leaves behind grieving families, unanswered questions, and a promise from authorities to investigate and improve.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Time of India
Subedarganj rly stn to be satellite hub for Delhi-Howrah trains
1 2 Prayagraj: The plan to develop Prayagraj Subedarganj railway station as a satellite station for major trains on the Delhi-Howrah route has taken a decisive turn. North Central Railways (NCR) prepared a proposal to give a two-minute halt to more than two dozen major trains, including those that start their journey from Prayagraj Junction towards New Delhi and those operating on the Howrah-Delhi trunk route. The major trains that may have a brief halt at this satellite station, which caters to the large population residing in the city West and beyond, include Prayagraj Express, Humsafar, Shivganga, Purushottam, Brahmaputra, Netaji Express, Mahabodhi, and Purva, among others. This proposal includes all the important trains on the Delhi-Howrah route. However, Rajdhani Express and Vande Bharat Express are excluded for now. The Railway Board will make the final decision on this proposal. The main objective of this step is to reduce the crowd and pressure of passengers at Prayagraj Junction. Additionally, it aims to provide more travel options for passengers. During Maha Kumbh, both Prayagraj Express and Humsafar Express were operated from this station for around two months. This decision was well praised by the passengers of the Sangam city. This proposal is seen as another step towards strengthening Subedarganj station, which is being redeveloped as an alternative station to Prayagraj Junction. The main objective of this step is to reduce the crowd and pressure of passengers at Prayagraj Junction. Additionally, it aims to provide more travel options for passengers. The construction of two new platforms is also proposed to increase station's capacity, raising the number of platforms from six to eight. Last year, two new platforms were also built here. NCR CPRO Shashikant Tripathi said that Prayagraj is being strengthened in terms of the rail network. The upgradation of Subedarganj station will not only increase passenger convenience but will also see this station emerge as a major railway hub in the future. With the implementation of this proposal, the experience of rail travel in Prayagraj and surrounding areas will improve significantly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How can a 3-month-old get cancer? Please help! Give Hope India Donate Now Undo With the stoppage of trains at Subedarganj station, passengers from nearby areas will get relief from crowd at Prayagraj Junction. This will make their journey more convenient and time-saving. The redevelopment of the station will increase employment opportunities in the area and boost the local economy.
Times of Oman
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
CRPF deployed at New Delhi Railway station to manage crowd situations after stampede
New Delhi: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Delhi Police were deployed on Monday at the New Delhi Railway station to manage the crowd situation. CRP will also be cooperating with the Delhi Police for additional help, as per official sources. Inspection is being carried out at the station by senior offices of CRP. This comes after a stampede took place at the New Delhi Railway station and claimed 18 lives leaving several injured. As per Delhi Police, the confusion happened because of the announcement of the trains having the same initial name starting with 'Prayagraj'. Police further said that the announcement of the Prayagraj Special arriving at Platform 16 led to confusion because Prayagraj Express was already at Platform 14. BJP MP Dinesh Sharma expressed his deep concerns over the loss of lives and urged the opposition to refrain from seeking political gains. "I would say that it is a very sad incident. The government is concerned about this issue. The railway department, as well as the central government, has done relief work, and whatever help could be given, they are also doing it," Sharma told ANI. He further said that it was sad to see that opposition leaders were only looking for their political advantage. "The only sad thing is that since the Kumbh had not even started, the opposition has been in search of some sad incident. This is sad that the opposition people start looking for their political benefit in sad incidents. I would say that Rahul ji, Akhilesh ji and all the opposition leaders should not do such things. Do not seek political gains from Kumbh, Sanatan, and tragic events. You have many issues to raise, but the way you try to defame (Maha Kumbh) is sad. Everyone should stand together in this tragic event. Everyone should stand with the families who are affected....." he further said. The Indian Railways has announced compensation of Rs10 lakh for the families of the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh for those seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.
BBC News
16-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Children dey among eighteen pipo wey die for New Delhi station crush
A crush at New Delhi Railway Station don leave around 18 pipo dead and at least 10 bin injure. Thousands of pipo bin reportedly jampack inside di railway station on Saturday night as dem try to board delayed trains. Four of di victims na children, while 10 na women, according to a list released by officials. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi say im thoughts dey "wit all dose wey lost dia loved ones" according to m post for X. Crowd crushes dey common for India wia dem get frequent overcrowding for religious events, festivals and public spaces. Di incident come weeks afta 30 pipo die for a pre-dawn crush for di religious festival, Kumbh Mela, in northern India, wia tens of millions of Hindus bin gada to bathe in sacred river waters on one of di holy days of di six-week event. For Delhi, witnesses tell BBC Hindi say a "huge crowd" bin gada for di station, through wey many pipo bin dey travel to and from di Kumbh Mela, wey dem hold for Prayagraj city in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh state. Hundreds of pipo dey waiting for trains to oda places. According to officials, two trains don dey delayed for di station, while di third one wey dey head to Prayagraj bin dey wait to depart. Ruby Devi say di crowd for di Indian capital main railway station dey so big she dey unable to get inside. Umesh Giri, wey im wife Shilam Devi die for di crush say dat di crowd dey "uncontrollable" as e try to board di Prayagraj Express. Dharmendra Singh wey dey also travel to Prayagraj, tell India PTI news agency say e get" far more pipo dan I don eva see at dis station". "In front of me, dem carry six or seven women away on stretchers. KPS Malhotra, deputy commissioner of police (railways), say dat authorities dey investigate wetin lead to di crush. "Dis happun due to a delay for two trains wey dey arrive and more pipo gada for di station," e say. Opposition leaders don criticise di govment, accusing dem of administrative failure. "Considering di large number of devotees going to Prayagraj, better arrangements suppose dey for di station," Rahul Gandhi, di leader of opposition for India parliament, post for X.
