Massive Overcrowding Due to Train Delays & Maha Kumbh Pilgrims Causes Chaos at Railway Station
February 16, 2025: New Delhi: A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night claimed at least 18 lives, including 11 women and four children, as thousands of Maha Kumbh pilgrims rushed to board a train to Prayagraj. Over a dozen people were injured and are undergoing treatment at nearby hospitals.
Also Read: Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Kills 18 Amid Maha Kumbh Rush
What Led to the Stampede?
Also Read: Akhilesh Yadav Seeks Extension of Maha Kumbh Amid Overwhelming Devotee Influx
According to officials, the chaos unfolded due to multiple factors, including:
✔ Train Delays – The Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani were delayed, leading to overcrowding on platforms 13 and 14.
✔ Massive Ticket Sales – Around 1,500 general tickets were sold for the special Prayagraj Express, which was scheduled to depart at 10:10 PM.
✔ Misinformation Spread – A rumor suggested the Prayagraj Express would arrive on a different platform, causing panic.
Stampede at Delhi Railway station is due to the sudden announcement of change of plateform from 12 to 16. Rajkumar lost his wife and daughter in this stampede. 💔#NewDelhiRailwaystation#Stampede pic.twitter.com/fazrHjvG8T
— Adv Rukhsana Sayed (@Umm_e_meerann) February 15, 2025
As more passengers gathered on platform 14, they rushed towards the stairs, triggering a deadly stampede.
Government’s Response & Inquiry Launched
🚨 The Ministry of Railways has formed a high-level committee to investigate the cause of the incident.
🚨 President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the tragedy.
🚨 Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena called it a “tragic and unfortunate event” and assured immediate action.
Recent Surge in Kumbh Mela Pilgrims
🔹 The Maha Kumbh 2025 has already seen an unprecedented turnout, with over 50 crore devotees visiting Prayagraj for the holy dip.
🔹 Earlier this week, chaotic scenes were reported at Bihar’s Madhubani station, where passengers broke windows to force their way onto a Delhi-bound train.
Urgent Need for Crowd Management Measures
As the Maha Kumbh rush continues, authorities are under pressure to improve crowd control at major railway stations to prevent further tragedies.
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MahaKumbh2025, TrainStampede, NewDelhi, IndianRailways, CrowdManagement, BreakingNews, RailwaySafety, KumbhMelaRush, Prayagraj, IndianTrains