New Delhi, February 17: In the wake of the recent stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court, calling for the establishment of an expert committee to develop comprehensive guidelines for crowd control and safety measures at railway stations.
The petition urges the Union and State governments to jointly form a panel of experts to devise and implement effective crowd management strategies to prevent such incidents in the future. Advocate Vishal Tiwari, who filed the plea, has also appealed to Indian Railways to enhance passenger safety by expanding corridors, constructing wider overbridges and platforms, and ensuring easier access through ramps and escalators. Additionally, the plea highlights the need to avoid last-minute changes to train arrival and departure platforms, particularly during peak hours, to prevent chaos and overcrowding.
Emphasizing the necessity for strict crowd control protocols, the petition suggests the implementation of barriers, ropes, and controlled entry gates to regulate passenger movement. It also recommends that ticket sales should be limited to the station’s capacity to ensure passenger safety.
Furthermore, the PIL calls on the Union and State governments to enforce the recommendations outlined in the 2014 National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) report, Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering. The plea underscores that the stampede was triggered by an abrupt change in the departure platform of a train to Prayagraj, a scenario that has previously led to similar tragic incidents at railway stations.
“These recurrent tragedies highlight the urgent need for robust crowd management systems and enhanced safety protocols at key transport hubs like New Delhi Railway Station,” the petition states.
The petitioner also noted that authorities should have anticipated heavy crowds, particularly due to the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, which has drawn lakhs of devotees from across states. Reports and viral videos on social media depict overcrowded train bogies, passengers struggling for space, and chaotic scenes at railway stations.
In a related development, another lawyer mentioned the incident before a Supreme Court bench led by Justice Abhay S. Oka, requesting suo motu cognizance of the tragedy. However, Justice Oka advised that the matter should be presented before the Chief Justice of India.
The stampede, which occurred on Saturday, resulted in the loss of 18 lives and left several others injured.
