At least 10 people were injured after a sudden rush of passengers caused by two trains for the Maha Kumbh being delayed led to an overcrowding situation at the New Delhi railway station on Saturday night, officials said. At least four people fell unconscious and had to be hospitalised.
The chaotic situation developed around 8 pm on platform numbers 14 and 15 of the station as passengers were waiting to board trains to Prayagraj.
Officials said additional security forces have been deployed to control the situation at the railway station and four fire engines were also rushed to the spot. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who is on the way to the station, said the situation is under control.
"Situation under control at New Delhi railway station (NDLS). Delhi Police and RPF (railway police force reached. Injured taken to hospital. Special trains being run to evacuate sudden rush," the minister posted on X.
Situation under control at New Delhi railway station (NDLS)
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) February 15, 2025
Delhi Police and RPF reached. Injured taken to hospital. Special trains being run to evacuate sudden rush.
Railway authorities have urged people not to believe rumours of a stampede.
Videos showed a massive crowd at the platform as a train rolled in. Officials said there was a rush to board the train as well as panic when passengers realised that not all of them would be able to get in. In the videos, at least two people were also seen lying unconscious as passengers around them attempted to resuscitate them.
"When the Prayagraj Express was on platform number 14, many people were present there. The Swatatantra Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani (both of which pass through Prayagraj) were delayed and passengers of these trains were also present on platforms 12, 13 and 14," said a police official.
Rush Of Devotees
Special trains for the Maha Kumbh have been witnessing ever larger crowds with the festival, which is held only once every 12 years, set to end on February 26. Earlier this week, some passengers at Bihar's Madhubani railway station broke the glass windows of the Swatantrata Senani Express - which goes to Delhi via Prayagraj - after they were unable to board the train.
Similar incidents related to trains heading to Prayagraj have also been reported from other railway stations in Bihar and police cases have been registered.
Former Delhi chief minister Atishi attacked the Centre over the incident at the New Delhi railway station. Earlier in the day, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav urged the centre to extend the duration of the Maha Kumbh to ease the rush of devotees who are hoping to take a dip at the Sangam.
"Even now, many people want to go to Maha Kumbh but cannot. In such a situation, the government should extend the time limit of Maha Kumbh," Mr Yadav said, pointing out that the Maha Kumbh lasted for 75 days earlier but is ending sooner this time. The last day of the Kumbh, February 26, is Maha Shivratri.
from NDTV News- Topstories https://ift.tt/cOBaXtH
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