TheIndian Railways has announced a new compensation policy for the victims of the stampede, which resulted in the death of about 18 persons, with over a dozen others injured at the New Delhi Railway Station late this past Saturday.
Families of documented dead persons would receive Rs. 10 lakh each; grievous injuries will be Rs. 2.5 lakh; and other passengers with minor injuries will be given Rs. 1 lakh, the Railways said.
The stampede took place at platforms 14 and 15, two points of an overflowed boarding thrust, where thousands had queued up to catch a train bound for Prayagraj in the northern region of Uttar Pradesh for the Maha Kumbh Mela. Eyewitnesses and officials affirm that frustrations rose as crowds began to swell at the truncated platform changes and last-minute announcements.
The stampede drew an investigation under the aegis of the Delhi police, who surveyed CCTV footage to ascertain the factors that led to this tragedy.
“We are focusing primarily on establishing the cause for the stampede. We will review CCTV footage, platform announcements, and possibly crowd management measures in place at that time,” stated a senior police official.
DCP Railways KPS Malhotra admitted they were expecting a crowd and couldn’t control the rush. “It all happened in a matter of seconds. To be followed by a fact-finding investigation by Railways, and subsequently as any investigation ascertains the actual reason behind the event.”
In the meantime, more security personnel have been assigned at the railway station and at hospitals attending to the victims. Railways assured that necessary remedial measures would be undertaken to avoid such incidents in the future.
