'Failure of railway system': Opposition asks Centre why arrangements were not made to tackle large crowds going to Maha Kumbh

NEW DELHI: In a heart-wrenching incident, at least 18 people lost their lives and many were injured in a

stampede case

on Saturday night at

New Delhi Railway Station

. According to reports, the incident occurred after a crowd of passengers waiting to board trains for Prayagraj rushed towards platforms 14 and 15.
Survivors recounted the horrific scenario explaining that a huge rush at the station led to the stampede with several fainting because of suffocation. Many eyewitnesses, who used to work at the station, said that they had never seen "such a crowd."
Meanwhile, condolences poured in with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and others expressing their sorrow over the tragedy.
However, the opposition including Congress seized the opportunity to condemn the Centre over the poor management and sought immediate disclosure of victims' identities maintaining transparency.

'Distressed by the stampede,' says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X grieved the deaths. "Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery. The authorities are assisting all those who have been affected by this stampede," he said.

President Murmu expresses grief
President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep anguish over the stampede and said, "Deeply anguished to know about the loss of lives in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured."

Deeply saddened by the unfortunate stampede: Ashwini Vaishnav
"Deeply saddened by the unfortunate stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station. My prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones. The entire team is working to assist all those who have been affected by this tragic incident," said Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnav.
'Devastating news from New Delhi Railway Station,' says Rajnath Singh
Defence minister Rajnath said he was pained by the deaths. "Devastating news from New Delhi Railway Station. I am extremely pained by the loss of lives due to stampede on Railway platform. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy of the injured," he wrote.
Adityanath condoles loss of lives in stampede
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident, terming it as "heartbreaking". In a post on X in Hindi late Saturday night, he said, "The loss of lives in the accident at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad and heart-breaking. My condolences are with the bereaved families."
"Prayers to Lord Shri Ram to grant salvation to the departed souls, strength to the bereaved families to bear this immense sorrow and speedy recovery to the injured," he said.

Uttar Pradesh's deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya termed the incident as sad.
Maurya said, "Very sad news has been received about the casualties of many people in the accident at New Delhi Railway Station. Prayers to God to provide speedy recovery to those injured in the accident and give place to the departed souls in his feet. Om Shanti."
'Unfortunate and tragic,' says LG VK Saxena
"There has been an unfortunate incident at New Delhi Railway Station. Have spoken to Chief Secretary & Police Commissioner and asked them to address the situation. CS has been asked to deploy relief personnel. Have instructed CS & CP to be at the site and take control of relief measures. I am constantly monitoring operations," he wrote in a post on X.
Acting Delhi chief minister Atishi criticised the Centre over the case. "Such an incident involving devotees travelling for the Maha Kumbh is extremely tragic. Neither the central government nor the Uttar Pradesh government seems concerned about people's safety. There are no proper arrangements in Prayagraj, nor are there adequate transportation facilities for devotees arriving from different states."

"I urge the railway authorities to provide assistance to the affected people as soon as possible," she added.
Congress' attack on Centre
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on the Centre, demanding transparency in the case.
"We demand that the number of dead and injured be declared as soon as possible and the identity of the missing people should also be ensured," Kharge posted on X.

"Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. The injured should be provided with immediate medical treatment," the Congress chief added.
"The news of many people dying in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely sad. The videos coming from the station are extremely heartbreaking. The attempt by the Narendra Modi government to hide the truth in the case of deaths at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely shameful and condemnable," he wrote on X.
'Extremely tragic and distressing,' says Rahul
The leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rae Bareli MP, Rahul Gandhi said that the stampede is "extremely tragic and distressing."
"The news of several deaths and multiple injuries due to the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely tragic and distressing. I extend my deepest condolences to the grieving families and wish for the swift recovery of the injured," he said.
In his post, he further said that the stampede at NDLS highlights "the failure of the railway system and the insensitivity of the government."

"Given the large number of devotees traveling to Prayagraj, better arrangements should have been made at the station. The government and administration must ensure that no one loses their life due to mismanagement and negligence," he added.
'Stampede incident sad'
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera taking to X said that there is a need for better arrangements to handle the massive crowd.
"The stampede incident at New Delhi station is sad. Due to the huge event of Kumbh, better arrangements should have been made at New Delhi station. About a dozen people are reported to be injured. Somehow, people were taken on a parcel cart and admitted to the hospital. Hope everyone reaches their destination safely," he wrote on X.
'My deepest condolences to the grieving families,' says Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
The Wayanad MP, Priyanka Gandhi expressed grief and wrote, "The news of multiple deaths, including women and children, due to the stampede caused by overcrowding at New Delhi Railway Station is extremely tragic. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the grieving families, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

BSP takes aim at Centre
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati took to X and said, "The tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, caused by severe negligence on the part of the railway authorities amid the massive crowd heading to the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh, has resulted in several deaths and injuries."
"My deepest condolences to the victims. The government must take action against those responsible and ensure full support for the affected families," she added.