Mon Feb 17 08:59:21 UTC 2025: ## National Railways Announces Overhaul of Crowd Control Following Deadly Delhi Stampede

**NEW DELHI** – A complete overhaul of crowd-control measures at railway stations nationwide is underway following a deadly stampede at New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) that killed 18 people on Sunday. The incident, which occurred amidst delays to three trains – including one bound for the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj – and the simultaneous sale of 1,500 general category tickets, resulted in severe overcrowding on platforms 13 and 14.

The Railways Ministry announced a six-month campaign to improve safety, focusing on 60 high-traffic stations, particularly those experiencing increased passenger volume due to the ongoing Maha Kumbh pilgrimage. This initiative will include:

* **Colour-coded enclosures and improved pathways:** To better manage crowd flow at stations.
* **Enhanced technology for crowd monitoring:** A centralised “war room” will monitor 35 stations directly connected to Prayagraj in real time. Over 200 new CCTV cameras will be installed in Delhi stations alone.
* **Crisis management training for railway officials:** To ensure better preparedness in emergency situations.
* **Temporary suspension of platform ticket sales:** Platform ticket sales will be suspended for seven hours daily (4 pm onwards) at affected stations, except for senior citizens and disabled individuals.

The increased deployment of Railway Police Force and six Delhi Police Inspectors, experienced in handling NDLS operations, further bolster crowd management efforts.

While railway officials deny rumors of a platform change announcement contributing to the stampede, eyewitnesses claim this triggered the incident. Officials attribute the stampede to passengers falling from a footbridge, creating a chain reaction.

The Maha Kumbh Mela concludes on February 26th, and with lakhs of devotees still travelling to Prayagraj, these measures aim to prevent similar tragedies. The scale of the problem is highlighted by passenger figures reaching 1.7 million at a single station on January 29th.

Read More