Railways’ new plan for crowd control after NDLS Stampede
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Railways’ new plan for crowd control after NDLS Stampede

Railways introduces special holding area, new manual for crowd control after NDLS stampede

The Indian Railways is taking new steps to control crowds at railway stations after a deadly stampede at New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) on Saturday. The tragic incident took the lives of 18 passengers, highlighting the need for better crowd management.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced several new measures to improve safety. These include setting up special holding areas at 60 busy railway stations, introducing a separate crowd management manual, and spreading awareness among passengers about the risks of sitting on stairs.

Holding areas at busy stations

The Railways has identified 60 major railway stations across India that often experience heavy crowds. Some of these stations include New Delhi, Patna, Surat, Bengaluru, and Coimbatore. To prevent overcrowding, special holding areas will be created outside the platforms.

Vaishnaw explained that these holding areas will help manage the flow of passengers inside railway stations. People will be allowed to enter the platforms only when their train departure time is near. This system aims to prevent congestion and reduce the risk of accidents.

The minister pointed out that a similar arrangement has already been implemented in Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh festival is taking place. There, passenger movement has been successfully regulated, proving that the system can work well.

Need for passenger awareness

Apart from physical changes, the Railways is also focusing on educating passengers about safe behavior at railway stations. One key issue is people sitting on stairs, which blocks movement and increases the chances of a stampede.

Vaishnaw stated that the Railways cannot impose fines on passengers for sitting on stairs. Instead, the best solution is to create awareness through the media. He urged passengers to be responsible and avoid actions that can lead to congestion.

The Railways will also develop a detailed crowd management manual. This new manual will combine all existing rules and guidelines, creating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling large crowds, especially during festivals and special events.

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When asked about actions against officials responsible for the stampede at NDLS, Vaishnaw said that no action will be taken until the inquiry report is completed. He explained that punishing officials without a proper investigation would go against the principle of natural justice.

A two-member high-level committee has been formed to investigate the incident. The committee includes Pankaj Gangwar, the Principal Chief Security Commissioner, and Nar Singh, the Principal Chief Commercial Manager of Northern Railway.

The railway minister said that no deadline has been set for the committee’s report, as rushing the investigation might put unnecessary pressure on the officials involved.

The recent stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has raised serious concerns about passenger safety at crowded stations. The Indian Railways is now working to improve crowd management with new measures such as holding areas, passenger awareness, and a revised manual.

While these steps are expected to make railway stations safer, their success will depend on proper implementation and cooperation from passengers. The government and railway authorities are committed to ensuring that such tragic incidents do not happen again.

 


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