Delhi stampede: Separate enclosure for general passengers heading to Maha Kumbh at New Delhi station

The New Delhi Railway Station reportedly witnesses a daily footfall of 3.5 to 4 lakh.

Following the death of 18 people in a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station, a separate enclosure for general passengers travelling to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela has been set up by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), according to Indian Express.

A waiting area demarcated by bamboo bars has been turned into an enclosure. It is at the corner of Platform 16 and can accommodate around 800 people. The entry and exit points are manned by over a dozen RPF personnel while a company of RAF (Rapid Action Force) personnel has been deployed along the periphery.

According to IE, the RPF looks after passenger safety and railway property at stations.

A senior RPF official said such enclosures are set up during festival seasons such as Holi, Diwali and Chhath Puja to manage the crowd. “This arrangement will continue until the conclusion of the Maha Kumbh on February 27,” the officer told IE. “If necessary, more such enclosures may be set up in the coming days.”

He said since the Railways has designated Platform 16 for special trains going towards Prayagraj, the enclosure has been set up close to it, to ease the pressure of the crowd on the platform. Passengers are allowed onto the platform only when the special train is ready for departure.

According to reports, three-four special trains ply daily for passengers who hold general tickets and primarily travel to the Maha Kumbh.

Sitting in the enclosure, Desh Raj, from Delhi’s Wazirpur, told IE that he was heading to Prayagraj. “I have a general ticket. They are saying my train will leave at 5 pm, till then I’ll be here,” he said.

The New Delhi Railway Station reportedly witnesses a daily footfall of 3.5 to 4 lakh. On February 15, the crowd surged to 5 lakh, according to IE.

The Delhi Police said the incident happened because of “confusion” over the announcement of the trains “having the same initial name starting with 'Prayagraj”.

“The announcement of the Prayagraj Special arriving at Platform 16 led to confusion because the Prayagraj Express was already at Platform 14. People who couldn't reach their train at Platform 14 thought their train was arriving at Platform 16 leading to the stampede. Additionally, there were 4 trains heading to Prayagraj, out of which 3 were delayed, causing unexpected overcrowding,” said the Delhi Police as quoted by PTI.