RPF blames security lapses for New Delhi station stampede
A deadly stampede at New Delhi railway station on Saturday night killed at least 18 people. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) blamed conflicting announcements for the chaos. The station first announced that a Prayagraj-bound Kumbh Special train would depart from Platform 12. Three minutes later, another announcement directed passengers to Platform 16. This confusion triggered panic and led to a rush.
Passengers Rush Bridges, Crowd Builds Up
According to the RPF report, passengers from multiple platforms tried to reach pedestrian bridges 2 and 3. At the same time, travelers from Magadh Express, Uttar Sampark Kranti Express, and the yet-to-arrive Prayagraj Express moved in the opposite direction. The narrow staircases became clogged. In the rush, some people fell and others trampled them.
Crowd Swells After Shiv Ganga Express Departs
The situation worsened after the Shiv Ganga Express left Platform 12 around 8:15 PM. More passengers flooded the station, choking pedestrian bridges. RPF’s assistant security commissioner quickly assessed the crowd and asked the station director to halt ticket sales. Officials also urged staff to speed up special train departures to ease congestion.
Stampede Breaks Out After Conflicting Announcements
At 8:45 PM, an announcement confirmed the Kumbh Special’s departure from Platform 12. Moments later, another announcement redirected passengers to Platform 16. The sudden shift sparked confusion. Panic erupted, and people surged in all directions. Bridges remained packed, blocking movement and causing the deadly crush.
CCTV Failure Hampers Investigation
Authorities discovered that a CCTV camera focused on the bridge and staircase had malfunctioned. No footage exists to clarify the exact sequence of events. However, a working camera near the escalators captured partial views of the crowd buildup.
Shortage of Security Personnel
The RPF report also revealed a severe manpower shortage. Out of 270 personnel assigned to manage crowds at the station, only 80 remained on duty. The rest had been sent to Prayagraj for another event, leaving New Delhi station critically understaffed during the crisis.
Authorities Face Questions
The report directly contradicts Indian Railways’ claim that no announcement mentioned Platform 16. With public pressure mounting, officials now face demands for better crowd management and safety measures.
