New Delhi, March 1: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday met with porters at the New Delhi Railway Station and praised their heroic efforts in saving the lives of numerous passengers during the tragic stampede last month.
The incident occurred on February 15 at 10 p.m., when thousands of devotees were traveling to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh 2025 festival, resulting in overcrowding at the station. The stampede claimed 18 lives.
In a post on the social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi expressed his admiration, stating, "Often, it is in the darkest times that the light of humanity shines the brightest. During the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, the porter brothers set an example of humanity, saving many lives. I thanked them today on behalf of the nation."
He further emphasized the importance of learning from such incidents, urging the government to take "concrete steps" to improve passenger safety. "We must learn from these accidents. They can be prevented through better crowd control, the use of modern technology, improved infrastructure, and stronger emergency systems. I hope the government takes concrete actions in this regard to ensure that passengers of all classes can travel safely," he added.
During his 40-minute interaction, the Rae Bareli MP listened to the challenges faced by the porters. Dipesh Meena, a porter at the station, shared his experience of meeting Rahul Gandhi. "We are happy that Rahul Gandhi came to meet us. He listened to all our problems, and we believe he will work towards resolving them," Meena said after the meeting.
Another porter expressed his gratitude, sharing his hope that the Congress leader would address their concerns. "Rahul Gandhi stayed for 40 minutes and heard our demands, including issues related to Group D and medical facilities. We are glad that he took the time to visit us," the porter remarked.
