The Indian Railways issued a clarification on Sunday, stating that no trains were cancelled, nor was any platform change announced at the New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday evening when the deadly stampede broke out, killing at least 18 passengers and injuring dozens of others.
While speaking to India Today TV, Northern Railways Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay said that the stampede broke out as an unprecedented number Maha Kumbh devotees gathered at platform 14 to board the Prayagraj Express.
“I want to make it clear that no scheduled train’s platform was changed, and no train was cancelled. In fact, five to six special trains were introduced in the evening to manage the rush,” Upadhyay said.
“The New Delhi Railway Station had been handling an unprecedented number of pilgrims, with 350 to 400 trains running to and from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. However, at the time of the incident, a large crowd began moving from Platform No 14 to Platform No. 12 via the foot overbridge, leading to a chaotic situation. The sudden movement of an unexpectedly large number of devotees caused the stampede,” he explained.
The railways official also said that the situation went out of control after a passenger slipped and fell on the stairs leading to platforms 14 and 15. “A passenger coming towards platforms 14-15 slipped and fell on the stairs, and many passengers standing behind him were hit, and this tragic incident took place,” he added.
Meanwhile, some sources said delays in train departures and the sale of over 1,500 general tickets every hour at the railway station may have created a chaotic situation.
A high-level committee has been formed by the Railway Ministry to investigate the stampede. The committee, including two high administrative group officials, has begun examining CCTV footage and other documents, while others are conducting enquiries. The report is expected to be submitted soon.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of those killed, Rs 2.5 lakh for those seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.
The stampede broke out at around 9.55 pm on Saturday night when a sea of passengers, mostly Maha Kumbh devotees, rushed to board trains to Prayagraj.