18 Dead in Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station: Tejashwi Yadav Criticizes Central Government

KKN Gurugram Desk | In a tragic incident at New Delhi Railway Station, a stampede on the night of Saturday, February 15, 2025, claimed the lives of at least 18 people. The stampede occurred due to a massive crowd and chaos at the station, which led to the fatal incident. The victims included 9 women, 5 children, and 4 men. Several others were injured and have been rushed to nearby hospitals, including Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital and Lady Harding Hospital.

The death toll may rise as authorities continue to assess the situation. Among the deceased, three individuals were from Bihar. Authorities are in the process of identifying the victims. One of the casualties was a young man from Bihar, who lost his mother in the stampede.

Tejashwi Yadav Expresses Condolences and Criticizes the Government

Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of Opposition in Bihar, expressed his condolences over the tragic event and sharply criticized the central government for its handling of the situation. Taking to Twitter, Yadav described the chaos and the loss of lives as deeply distressing. He accused the government of trying to cover up the incident, rather than addressing the root causes of the tragedy.

In his tweet, Tejashwi Yadav said, “I am deeply saddened by the untimely deaths due to the mismanagement and stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. Despite having so many government resources, such tragic events continue to happen, and the double-engine government is busy in trying to cover up these unfortunate incidents and focusing on PR rather than ensuring the safety of common people and devotees.”

He also added, “Instead of addressing the plight of the general public and the devotees, the government’s attention remains solely focused on media management, the convenience of VIPs, and ensuring their comfort. It is a sad state of affairs.”

Victims and Injuries in the Stampede

The stampede occurred at one of the busiest railway stations in the country, New Delhi Railway Station. As thousands of passengers gathered to catch their trains, especially with the long weekend approaching, the station became overcrowded. This overcrowding, combined with the lack of proper crowd control measures, resulted in panic, and the stampede ensued. Many people, particularly women and children, were trampled as the crowd surged forward.

Among the deceased, at least 9 women, 5 children, and 4 men lost their lives. Several others were injured, and they were immediately taken to the nearby hospitals for treatment. Some of the injured passengers are reported to be in critical condition, and medical teams are working tirelessly to save lives. The hospitals, including LNJP and Lady Harding, are handling the emergency cases, but the situation remains grim.

As of now, the authorities are still in the process of identifying the victims and contacting their families. The incident has left many families devastated, especially those who were waiting for their loved ones to return after a long journey.

Bihar Residents Among the Deceased

The stampede claimed the lives of three individuals from Bihar. One of the victims, a young man, lost his mother in the chaos. The news of the deaths has deeply shaken the residents of Bihar, as many families had traveled to New Delhi for religious purposes or to visit relatives. The tragic loss of lives in such a tragic manner has caused an outpouring of grief among the people of Bihar.

Bihar’s local authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are in touch with the New Delhi Railway Station administration to understand the exact causes of the stampede. The local government has promised to assist the affected families and provide support to them during these difficult times. However, many people are questioning the adequacy of the safety measures at such a high-traffic location like New Delhi Railway Station.

Tejashwi Yadav’s Criticism of the Government’s Handling of the Incident

Tejashwi Yadav’s tweet has sparked a debate about the government’s response to the stampede. He pointed out the lack of accountability and the seeming disregard for the safety of ordinary passengers. Yadav’s criticism came after reports of overcrowding and inadequate crowd management on the railway station’s platforms, which could have been prevented with better planning and coordination.

While the government has expressed condolences, Yadav criticized the government’s focus on media management and the comfort of VIPs rather than addressing the needs of the general public. “Instead of focusing on media management, the government should have ensured that the station was equipped with proper crowd control measures, especially during peak travel times,” he stated.

His remarks also highlight an ongoing concern about the priorities of the government in managing public safety. Critics argue that such incidents could be avoided if the government took better care to plan for high foot traffic periods, such as holidays or long weekends.

Government’s Response to the Incident

Following the tragic incident, railway authorities and government officials have promised a thorough investigation into the matter. The Ministry of Railways has issued a statement expressing their deep regret and condolences to the families of the victims. The Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, expressed his sorrow over the stampede and assured that a full investigation will be conducted to understand the cause of the incident.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed at the scene to assist with rescue and relief operations. The authorities have also assured that all necessary steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. However, many people are calling for a more immediate and visible response to ensure that proper crowd management measures are implemented across all major railway stations in the country.

Calls for Better Crowd Management and Safety Measures

The stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has once again raised concerns about crowd management at India’s busiest railway stations. Experts have long argued that Indian railway stations, especially those in major cities, lack proper infrastructure to handle the overwhelming number of passengers during peak travel times.

The incident has highlighted the need for better crowd control measures, such as increased security personnel, better signage, clear guidelines for passengers, and upgraded infrastructure to ensure that large crowds are managed effectively. The need for improved technology, including crowd-tracking systems, is also being discussed in the aftermath of the incident.

Railway stations, especially in major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, must be equipped with the necessary resources to handle the large influx of passengers during peak periods. Public safety should be a priority, and the government needs to invest in modernizing the infrastructure and improving the crowd management systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.

What Happened at New Delhi Railway Station?

Reports suggest that the stampede occurred due to the sudden surge in passenger traffic on Saturday night. The situation worsened when multiple trains running to popular destinations like Prayagraj and Patna caused delays, resulting in a large crowd of anxious passengers gathering on the platforms. The situation escalated when a special train was announced, which caused passengers to scramble, leading to the stampede.

The incident occurred around 9:55 PM at platforms 14 and 15, which were already overcrowded due to the delay of several trains. As passengers rushed to board the special train, panic ensued, and the crowd lost control, leading to tragic consequences. The railway authorities were caught off guard and were unable to manage the situation in time.

The stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has resulted in the tragic loss of 18 lives, with many others injured. The incident has raised serious questions about the safety and management systems at one of India’s busiest transport hubs. While the government has expressed condolences and promised an investigation, the incident highlights the urgent need for better planning and crowd control systems at railway stations, particularly during peak travel times.

As Tejashwi Yadav pointed out, the government must take immediate action to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. The lives of ordinary citizens should not be sacrificed due to negligence or lack of preparedness. It is essential that the government focuses on improving infrastructure, enhancing safety measures, and ensuring that railway stations are well-equipped to handle large crowds in the future.