Two days after 18 people were killed in a stampede at New Delhi railway station, the Centre on Monday said there will be a “complete overhaul” of crowd-control measures and protocols at railway stations across the country.
Two days after 18 people were killed in a stampede at New Delhi railway station, the Centre on Monday said there will be a “complete overhaul” of crowd-control measures and protocols at railway stations across the country.(Image:DC)
New Delhi: Two days after 18 people were killed in a stampede at New Delhi railway station, the Centre on Monday said there will be a “complete overhaul” of crowd-control measures and protocols at railway stations across the country.
The Northern Railway has already announced it will not sell platform tickets between 4 pm and 11 pm for the next one week at New Delhi station to ensure proper crowd management as the pilgrimage for the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj will end on February 26. This, however, will not apply to persons with disabilities or senior citizens, Northern Railway chief public relations officer Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay said.
The stampede at New Delhi station was triggered by a rush of passengers after three trains, one of which was a special service to Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, were delayed. These delays, and the simultaneous sale of around 1,500 general category tickets, exacerbated the situation and contributed to the overcrowding of platforms 13 and 14.
To prevent another Kumbh-related tragedy, colour-coded enclosures, “enhanced tech” to monitor crowds, and crisis-management training to railway officials will be part of a six-month campaign that will also see Delhi’s railway stations undergo “significant improvements to enhance passenger safety”.
These 35 stations, which include those in Delhi, will be specially monitored. As part of that “special monitoring”, Delhi’s railway stations will also see over 200 new CCTV cameras operationalised.
From the law enforcement perspective, the Delhi police has deployed six inspector-rank officers to oversee crowd management at New Delhi station. These officers have been handpicked for experience in handling operations at the station, the busiest transit hub in the country.
Interacting with the media, railway minister Ashwini Vashnaw said 60 stations which normally receive a high footfall have been identified and a decision has been taken to make permanent or temporary holding areas outside the platforms to regulate the flow of passengers to the stations.
"Sixty stations such as New Delhi, Patna, Surat, Bengaluru and Coimbatore have been identified for creating a holding area to manage the flow of passengers inside the station. They will be allowed to enter the platform according to departure of their trains so that station areas don't get overcrowded,” Vaishnaw said.
The minister cited the example of stations in Prayagraj — where the Maha Kumbh is taking place — where such holding areas have been created and flow of passengers regulated successfully so far. He also said a separate crowd management manual will be created by merging all existing provisions, and a standard operating procedure will be developed to handle passenger rush during festivals and special occasions. “We will have to make a comprehensive manual for crowd management,” he added.
According to the minister, raising awareness among passengers not to sit at stairs or at any place that can block the free movement of other travellers can also help in a big way to prevent incidents like the one which occurred at the New Delhi station.
According to the minister, raising awareness among passengers not to sit at stairs or at any place that can block the free movement of other travellers can also help in a big way to prevent incidents like the one which occurred at the New Delhi station.
"We cannot fine passengers for sitting on the stairs. The only way is to create awareness is through the media that it can congest the necessary movement of other travellers,” Vaishnaw said.
Asked if any action has been taken against officials for Saturday’s stampede, the minister said taking any action will be against the principle of natural justice till the time the inquiry report comes.
A day earlier, security was ramped up at New Delhi station, including deployment of additional teams from the Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Force to manage the peak rush at the station. A senior officer said all measures have been put in place at the railway station, prohibiting anyone from loitering on the foot overbridge without a valid reason. “We have seen several people waiting or standing on the foot overbridge without any reason, causing delays for other passengers trying to reach different platforms. Now, no one will be allowed to stand on the foot over bridge without a valid reason,” he said.
A RPF officer said that many trains heading toward Prayagraj will be monitored and teams will also check the number of people on the platforms to avoid any stampede-like situation. “From platform number 16 to platform number 13, we have deployed security personnel to monitor every train coach and manage heavy rush. Besides that, emergency response teams will be on standby in case of any requirement,” he added.
Another officer said that barricades have been installed, patrolling intensified and quick reaction teams have been deployed to stem similar incidents. “The CCTV surveillance has also been enhanced, with control rooms monitoring real-time footage for crowd control,” the officer said. Another senior police officer said that usually now the police will not allow people to stand on the foot overbridge without any reason. Announcements are being made to guide the commuters and avoid panic situations,” he said.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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