New Delhi, Feb 17 (UNI) In the aftermath of the tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday, which claimed the lives of at least 18 people, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking urgent safety measures.
The petition, filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari, urged the Apex Court to constitute an expert committee to recommend strategies for preventing similar mishaps in the future.
Additionally, the plea sought various directives for the Union and State governments to implement the 2014 National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) report titled “Managing Crowd at Events and Venues of Mass Gathering.”
Highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols at railway stations, the petition calls upon the Indian Railways to widen corridors, construct broader overbridges and platforms, and ensure easier access through ramps and escalators, especially during peak hours.
The petitioner also emphasized that last-minute changes in arrival and departure platforms should be strictly avoided and that ticket counters must not issue tickets beyond station capacity.
Advocate Tiwari attributed the recent stampede to the sudden change of the departure platform for a train bound for Prayagraj. He pointed out that similar incidents have occurred in the past, underscoring a pattern of inadequate crowd management at major railway hubs.
“The government and railway authorities were well aware that with the ongoing Maha Kumbh, lakhs of passengers would be boarding from various railway stations. Despite this, adequate safety measures were not implemented,” the petition stated.
It further highlighted viral videos and media reports depicting overcrowded compartments, where passengers were crammed beyond capacity, even in reserved coaches.
This is not the first time the petitioner has approached the Supreme Court on the issue. He had previously filed a PIL after a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela, but the court directed him to approach the High Court instead.
In a separate development, another lawyer mentioned the matter before a bench led by Justice Abhay S. Oka, urging the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the incident. However, Justice Oka responded that such a request must be made before the Chief Justice of India.
