NEW DELHI: Heavy passenger congestion was witnessed at New Delhi railway station on Sunday, particularly on platforms 12 and 13, as several trains, including the Shiv Ganga Express, Swatantrata Senani Express, Jammu Rajdhani Express, Lucknow Mail, and Magadh Express, were delayed.
As crowds swelled, railway authorities quickly implemented crowd management protocols to prevent any untoward incident. Senior officials, including the Senior Commandant of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Station Director, arrived to oversee the situation.
Despite the congestion, the Ministry of Railways confirmed that there was no stampede-like situation. "The protocol of taking unreserved passengers through the holding area is being used," the ministry stated.
Passengers were seen scaling barricades and jumping queues, adding to the chaos. However, with the heavy deployment of personnel from both the railway and Delhi police administrations, the situation was soon brought under control.
A senior railway board official said, “There was heavy rush but no stampede or stampede-like situation at New Delhi railway station. Senior officials, including the Senior Commandant of the RPF and the Station Director, are present at the station for better management.”
According to the police, no injuries were reported, and with some delayed trains having now departed, the situation has stabilised.
(With inputs from PTI)