At least 10 people were injured after a sudden rush of passengers caused by two trains for the Maha Kumbh being delayed led to an overcrowding situation at the New Delhi railway station on Saturday night, officials said. At least four people fell unconscious and had to be hospitalised.
The chaotic situation developed around 8 pm on platform numbers 14 and 15 of the station as passengers were waiting to board trains to Prayagraj.
Officials said additional security forces have been deployed to control the situation at the railway station and four fire engines were also rushed to the spot. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the situation is under control.
“Situation under control at New Delhi railway station (NDLS). Delhi Police and RPF (railway police force reached. Injured taken to hospital. Special trains being run to evacuate sudden rush,” the minister posted on X.
Situation under control at New Delhi railway station (NDLS)
Delhi Police and RPF reached. Injured taken to hospital. Special trains being run to evacuate sudden rush.— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 15, 2025
Railway authorities have urged people not to believe rumours of a stampede.
While no deaths have been confirmed by the Railway authorities, Delhi Lieutenant General VK Saxena and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke about a loss of lives. Mr Saxena and the minister also called the incident a stampede.
“There has been an unfortunate and tragic incident of loss of lives and injuries due to disorder & stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My deepest condolences to the families of victims of this tragedy. Have spoken to Chief Secretary & Police Commissioner and asked them to address and redress the situation,” Mr Saxena posted on X.
There has been an unfortunate and tragic incident of loss of lives and injuries due to disorder & stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My deepest condolences to the families of victims of this tragedy.
Have spoken to Chief Secretary & Police Commissioner and asked them to…
— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) February 15, 2025
“CS has been asked to invoke DDMA (disaster management) measures & deploy relief personnel. All hospitals are in readiness to address related exegencies. Have instructed CS & CP to be at the site and take control of relief measures. I am constantly monitoring operations,” he added.
Mr Saxena later modified to the post to remove references to loss of lives as well as a stampede.
Mr Singh wrote, “Devastating news from New Delhi Railway Station. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to stampede on Railway platform (sic). In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy of the injured.”
Devastating news from New Delhi Railway Station. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to stampede on Railway platform. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy of the injured.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 15, 2025
Videos showed a massive crowd at the platform as a train rolled in. Officials said there was a rush to board the train as well as panic when passengers realised that not all of them would be able to get in. In the videos, at least two people were also seen lying unconscious as passengers around them attempted to resuscitate them.
“When the Prayagraj Express was on platform number 14, many people were present there. The Swatatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani (both of which pass through Prayagraj) were delayed and passengers of these trains were also present on platforms 12, 13 and 14,” said a police official.
Rush Of Devotees
Special trains for the Maha Kumbh have been witnessing ever larger crowds with the festival, which is held only once every 12 years, set to end on February 26. Earlier this week, some passengers at Bihar’s Madhubani railway station broke the glass windows of the Swatantrata Senani Express – which goes to Delhi via Prayagraj – after they were unable to board the train.
Similar incidents related to trains heading to Prayagraj have also been reported from other railway stations in Bihar and police cases have been registered.
Former Delhi chief minister Atishi attacked the Centre over the incident at the New Delhi railway station. Earlier in the day, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav urged the centre to extend the duration of the Maha Kumbh to ease the rush of devotees who are hoping to take a dip at the Sangam.
“Even now, many people want to go to Maha Kumbh but cannot. In such a situation, the government should extend the time limit of Maha Kumbh,” Mr Yadav said, pointing out that the Maha Kumbh lasted for 75 days earlier but is ending sooner this time. The last day of the Kumbh, February 26, is Maha Shivratri.
