New Delhi: A public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court in the wake of the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday and has sought constitution of an expert committee to suggest measure to prevent such incidents.
A stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday left 18 persons dead and several injured.
Railways should have made adequate arrangements and safety measures: Petitioner
Advocate Vishal Tiwari has filed the PIL submitting that the Railways should have made adequate arrangements and safety measures when the government and the Ministry of Railways are well aware that a large Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj is going on and lakhs of people are boarding trains from the railway stations from all states.
“The Government and Railway ministry are very well aware that when a large Maha Kumbh is going on and lakhs of people are boarding from the Railway Stations from all States. Then the Railways should have made adequate arrangements and safety measures,” the petition said.
Reports show chaotic condition at railway stations where people are suffering: Petitioner
“There have been many videos on social media and news reports that show the chaotic condition at the railway stations where the people are suffering. The bogies are seen fully filled, not leaving an inch of space and people are packed like in a sack. Even the reservation seats are not spared and mismanagement has been seen,” the petition added.
What has the petitioner sought?
The petitioner has sought better crowd management measures and a direction to the Centre and states to implement 2014 National Disaster Management Authority report “Managing crowds at events and venues of mass gathering”.
The PIL has said that the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station occurred due to an announcement for last-minute change of the departure platform of the train for Prayagraj and that such incidents have occurred at railway stations in past also and “these recurring tragedies highlight the urgent need for enhanced crowd management and safety measures at significant transport hubs such as New Delhi Railway Station.”
