Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Claims 18 Lives, Dozens Injured; Authorities Launch Investigation

One railway official pointed to the congestion caused by delays in train departures, including the Swantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani Express, which were also stationed at the station at the time of the incident. The overcrowding worsened due to the sale of approximately 1,500 general tickets, which further strained the already packed platforms, claimed officials.
Videos circulating on social media depicted scenes of chaos, with panicked passengers running and gasping for breath amidst the confusion. Police and railway authorities have launched a detailed probe and are reviewing CCTV footage to piece together the sequence of events.
The tragedy comes just weeks after a deadly stampede at the Maha Kumbh mela in Prayagraj on January 29, where 30 people lost their lives and many others were injured. The ongoing surge in devotees traveling to Prayagraj for the holy dip has added immense pressure on the railways and the station's infrastructure.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via Twitter, stating, "Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery. The authorities are assisting all those who have been affected by this stampede."
Opposition leaders also reacted to the tragedy. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the government and said in a tweet, "The news of several people dying and many getting injured due to the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad and distressing. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. This incident once again highlights the failure of the Railways and the insensitivity of the government. Considering the large number of devotees going to Prayagraj, better arrangements should have been made at the station. The government and administration should ensure that no one has to lose their life due to mismanagement and negligence."
Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal also condemned the incident, writing on social media, "The tragic death of devotees going to Maha Kumbh in the accident at New Delhi Railway Station is unfortunate and painful. May God give peace to their souls. My condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones in the accident."
The railway station, one of the busiest in the country, has long struggled with overcrowding, and the latest tragedy has once again highlighted concerns about passenger safety, particularly during peak travel periods such as the Kumbh Mela, even after India Railways claiming to have started several special trains owing to the Maha Kumbh fervour.​