<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the wake of the tragic stampede at New Delhi railway station in which over 18 people were killed and over a dozen were injured, the Ministry of Railways has announced a comprehensive overhaul of crowd management protocols across the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">As part of a special six-month campaign, Delhi&rsquo;s railway stations will undergo significant improvements to enhance passenger safety and streamline their movement.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">On Monday, the Ministry rolled out a series of initiatives aimed at preventing overcrowding and ensuring smoother passenger flow.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Key Measures</strong></span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&nbsp;&bull; 60 high-traffic stations to have designated holding areas</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&bull; Advanced monitoring systems to track passenger density, especially during delays</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&bull; 200 CCTV cameras installed at New Delhi railway station for enhanced security</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&bull; 35 key stations connected to Prayagraj will be under constant surveillance</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&bull; Training for local railway officials in situational awareness and crisis management</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&bull; Holding areas and colour-coded enclosures to manage passenger flow</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&bull; 21 underpasses constructed to ease pedestrian movement in the last two years</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&bull; Targeted monitoring for stations serving Kumbh devotees</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&bull; Cameras will be used to prevent congestion and unauthorised sitting on staircases and landing areas</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">These proactive measures reflect the Railways&rsquo; commitment to passenger safety and efficient crowd management, ensuring that India&rsquo;s bustling railway hubs remain secure and organized.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Earlier, the Delhi police deployed six inspector-rank officers at the New Delhi railway station to enhance crowd management.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">These officers, drawn from different districts, were specifically chosen for their experience in handling operations at the New Delhi railway station, one of the busiest transit hubs in the country.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Some of these officers had earlier served as Station House Officers (SHOs) at the station, giving them a strong understanding of the logistical and security challenges posed by large crowds.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">On Saturday night, a stampede at the station resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, including five children, and left over a dozen injured.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The tragedy occurred due to a sudden surge of passengers waiting to board trains bound for Prayagraj.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The incident took place on the foot-overbridge connecting platform numbers 14 and 15, where some passengers slipped while descending, leading to panic and a fatal crush.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered an enquiry and set up a two-member high-level committee to investigate the lapses.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Following the stampede at the New Delhi railway station, other stations in the country have also implemented emergency measures.</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>&mdash;IANS</strong></em></span></div>
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On Feb 15, a stampede occurred at the New Delhi railway station, resulting in the death of 18 people

Special 6-month campaign to ensure Delhi railway stations have enhanced passenger safety

Railways Rolls out Safety Overhaul after Stampede

Special 6-month campaign to ensure Delhi railway stations have enhanced passenger safety

February 17, 2025 | 16:50 IST