Following the tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday, which claimed at least 18 lives, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court, urging the government to implement stringent crowd management measures. Advocate Vishal Tiwari, the petitioner, has requested the formation of an expert committee to recommend strategies for preventing such disasters. He also emphasized the need for Indian Railways to enforce the 2014 National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) report on crowd control at mass gatherings. The petition highlights the importance of widening station corridors, constructing broader overbridges and platforms, and installing more ramps and escalators, particularly during peak hours. Additionally, it calls for a ban on last-minute platform changes and limiting ticket sales to prevent overcrowding beyond station capacity.
The petitioner pointed out that the stampede occurred due to a sudden change in the departure platform of a train bound for Prayagraj, triggering panic among passengers. He argued that such incidents have happened before, exposing severe lapses in railway management. Videos circulating on social media and news reports depict the chaotic conditions at the station, where passengers were packed into train compartments with no space to move. Even reserved seats were occupied beyond capacity, creating dangerous conditions. Given the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, where thousands of devotees are traveling through major railway hubs, the petitioner criticized the lack of preparedness by authorities despite knowing the expected surge in passengers.
Earlier, the same petitioner had approached the Supreme Court after a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela but was directed to approach the High Court instead. On Monday, another lawyer mentioned the matter before a bench led by Justice Oka, requesting the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the tragedy. However, Justice Oka stated that such a request must be made before the Chief Justice of India. The PIL has intensified the debate on railway safety and crowd control, as the country grapples with repeated incidents of mismanagement at transport hubs.
