New Delhi Railway Station Stampede: 18 Dead, Congress Demands Railway Minister’s Resignation

New Delhi:- A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday evening claimed the lives of at least 18 people. In response, the Congress party has called for the resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, holding him accountable for the mishap. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate stated that if Vaishnaw does not step down, he should be dismissed for the “mismanagement” that led to the disaster.

The Railway Ministry has announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of the deceased. Additionally, those with severe injuries will receive ₹2.5 lakh, while individuals with minor injuries will be given ₹1 lakh.

Investigation Underway

A high-level committee launched an inquiry into the incident on Sunday. Officials have collected CCTV footage and are interviewing eyewitnesses, according to committee member Narsingh Deo. Fire department officials reported that four fire tenders were dispatched to the scene after receiving distress calls about a stampede on platforms 14 and 15 at approximately 9:55 PM on Saturday. The injured were taken to Lok Nayak Hospital for treatment.

Possible Causes of the Stampede

DCP Railways KPS Malhotra shed light on the overcrowding issue, explaining that with the Prayagraj Express stationed at platform 14, a massive crowd had gathered. Passengers from Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani were also present on platforms 12, 13, and 14 due to train delays. Malhotra revealed that approximately 1,500 general tickets were sold per hour, which likely contributed to the overwhelming and uncontrollable crowd, ultimately leading to the stampede.