NuzTube INDIA
Railway authorities reported an unprecedented surge in passenger traffic for the Kumbh Mela, prompting the operation of special trains for several weeks. The Prayagraj Express was scheduled to arrive on platform 14, and during the waiting period, an announcement was made for a special train departing to Prayagraj from platform 12. This confused passengers, leading them to move towards platform 12 instead.
Initial investigations by the Delhi Police have revealed that the deadly stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station occurred as passengers were confused between the ‘Prayagraj Express’ and ‘Prayagraj Special’. The confusion arose from the announcement of trains with the same initial name ‘Prayagraj’, according to police sources.
Railway sources confirmed that two Prayagraj-bound trains were set to depart from platforms 12 and 14. The crowded platform 14 led to confusion when an announcement for a train to the same destination was made, indicating platform 12. This confusion caused passengers crossing the footbridge and those on the steps leading to the platform to topple over each other.
Sources indicated that the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the station master received information about the stampede between 9:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., before the Prayagraj Express’s scheduled departure from platform 14 at 10:10 p.m.
On February 15, a total of 339 trains carrying over 1.4 million passengers departed for the Kumbh Mela from Delhi stations.
