New Delhi Railway Station Tragedy: Here's What Witnesses Saw

New Delhi, India(16 February, 2025): On Saturday night, a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station turned into a nightmare for commuters. Fire services, being the first responders, rushed from the Rani Jhansi Road station but found themselves stuck in heavy traffic near Desh Bandhu Gupta Road. Realising the urgency, another team was dispatched from the Connaught Place station through Ranjit Singh Flyover, hoping to reach the scene quickly.

Slippers Scattered Everywhere: A Scene of Panic

Upon arrival, officials were met with a heartbreaking sight—thousands of slippers and sandals scattered on the stairs leading to platforms 14 and 15. Rajinder Atwal, an official on duty, described the situation as something he had never witnessed before. The station was packed beyond capacity, making it impossible for emergency responders to move freely.

Uncontrollable Crowds and a Looming Disaster

Even though officials were told that the crowd had lessened, Atwal noted that platform 13 remained dangerously overcrowded. From the footover bridge, it was clear that any further rush could lead to another mishap. People were scrambling to find their families, some in tears, while others were desperately trying to exit the station.

Blocked Routes Delayed Emergency Assistance

Manish Kumar, another first responder, revealed the challenges they faced while navigating through the chaos. The Paharganj side of the station was blocked due to traffic, forcing them to attempt an entry through the Ajmeri Gate side. However, even that route was congested, with panicked passengers rushing out, leaving no space for emergency vehicles to enter.

A Struggle to Evacuate the Injured

Fire services and station porters worked together to clear the site. Before the responders could reach, railway staff had already moved several bodies to a safe place. Kumar and his team helped transport the injured to nearby hospitals, but the scene remained chaotic, with families desperately searching for their loved ones.

Need for Better Crowd Management

Incidents like this raise serious concerns about crowd management at railway stations. With lakhs of passengers traveling daily, the infrastructure must be improved to handle large gatherings. Officials and experts stress the need for better coordination among authorities, stricter crowd control measures, and public awareness to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Voices of the Affected

Eyewitnesses shared harrowing accounts of being caught in the rush. Many passengers lost their belongings in the panic, and some were separated from their families. Officials said the situation was ‘pathetic’ and ‘grave,’ with people crying, screaming, and pushing their way through the station. The aftermath of the stampede left the station littered with torn bags, broken shoes, and shattered hopes.

What Needs to Change?

As authorities investigate the causes behind the stampede, commuters are demanding stricter crowd management policies. Experts suggest improving station infrastructure, increasing security personnel, and spreading public awareness about handling rush situations. Tragedies like these should never repeat, and for that, urgent changes are needed.