New Delhi Railway Station Stampede: Govt Announces Rs 10 Lakh Compensation To Relatives Of Deceased

A stampede took place at New Delhi Railway Station has resulted in the deaths of 18 passengers, with over a dozen more injured. Among the casualties were 3 women and 3 minors. The incident occurred late Saturday night as passengers crowded platforms 14 and 15, eager to board trains heading to Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating on X, "Deeply saddened by the unfortunate stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station. My prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones. The entire team is working to assist all those who have been affected by this tragic incident."

Compensation Announced for Victims

The Railways announced compensation for the victims' families. Each family of those who died will receive Rs 10 lakh. Those seriously injured will be given Rs 2.5 lakh, while individuals with minor injuries will receive Rs 1 lakh.

Delhi Police have initiated an investigation into the stampede's cause. They plan to review CCTV footage from the station to piece together the events leading up to the chaos. A police source mentioned, "Our main target is to investigate the main cause which caused the stampede. We will collect all data of CCTV footage and announcements done during that time."

Investigation and Possible Causes

Northern Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer, Himanshu Upadhyay, explained that at the time of the incident, two trains were stationed at platforms 14 and 15: the Patna-bound Magadh Express and the New Delhi-Jammu Uttar Sampark Kranti Express. He noted that some people descending from a footbridge slipped on stairs, triggering the stampede.

Sources suggest that delays in train departures and selling around 1,500 general tickets every hour might have contributed to overcrowding at the station. This situation likely exacerbated tensions among passengers waiting to board their trains.