New Delhi Railway Station Stampede | PIL Filed In Supreme Court For Better Crowd Management Measures

In the wake of the stampede which occurred at the New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday leaving at least eighteen persons dead, a Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court, seeking to constitute an expert committee to suggest measures to prevent such mishaps.

The petitioner, Advocate Vishal Tiwari, also sought directions to the Union and the States to implement the Report made by the National Disaster Management Authority in 2014 titled as “Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering.”

The petitioner sought directions to the Indian Railways to take measures for the safety of passengers at Railway Stations by widening corridors, constructing broader overbridges and platforms, ensuring easy access to platforms through ramps and escalators, during peak hours etc. It was suggested that any changes to arrival or departure platforms of trains at the last minute should be strictly avoided. Also, the counters should not distribute tickets over and above the capacity of the stations.   

The petitioner submitted that the stampede occurred due to a last-minute change of the departure platform of the train to Prayagraj. He stated that such incidents have also occurred previously as well, in railway stations. "These recurring tragedies highlight the urgent need for enhanced crowd management and safety measures at significant transport hubs such as New Delhi Railway Station," he submitted.

"The Government and Railway ministry are very well aware that when a large Maha Kumbh is going on and lakhs of people are boarding from the Railway Stations from all States. Then the Railways should have made adequate arrangements and safety measures.There have been many videos on social media and news reports that show the chaotic condition at the railway stations where the people are suffering. The bogies are seen fully filled, not leaving an inch of space and people are packed like in a sack. Even the Reservation seats are not spared and mismanagement has been seen," the petition stated.

Recently, the same petitioner had fled a PIL in the Supreme Court in the wake of the stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela. The Supreme Court refused to entertain the petition, asking the petitioner to approach the High Court.

Today, another lawyer mentioned the matter before a bench led by Justice Oka, requesting the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the stampede. However, Justice Oka said that the mentioning has to be made done before the Chief Justice of India.