Stampede fallout: Railways to create 'holding areas' at 60 stations with high footfall

NEW DELHI: Following Saturday's stampede at New Delhi station that claimed 18 lives, railways will create 'holding areas' for passengers at 60 stations that witness high footfall, particularly during events and festivals. It will also come out with a crowd-management manual and raise awareness among people not to squat on stairs and other places blocking passenger movement in stations.
Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Monday that temporary or permanent holding areas outside platforms will be used to regulate flow of passengers. New Delhi, Patna, Danapur, Arrah, Buxar, Varanasi, Surat, Bengaluru and Coimbatore are among the 60 stations where these areas will be created. "Passengers will be allowed to enter a platform depending on the departure time of their trains to avoid overcrowding," he said, adding holding areas have proved effective at stations in Prayagraj area.

Will draft SOP to handle festival rush at stations: Vaishnaw

Ashwini Vaishnaw said a separate crowd management manual will be created by merging all existing provisions and a standard operating procedure will be developed to handle passenger rush during festivals and special occasions. Raising awareness among passengers not to sit on stairs or at any place that can block the free movement of other travellers can also help in a big way to prevent incidents. “We cannot fine passengers for sitting on stairs. So, we have to create awareness through media that it can congest the necessary movement of other travellers,” he added.

The statements are important considering that while eyewitnesses have claimed Saturday's stampede happened because of crowd mismanagement, railway officials have said the crowd was not unusual for the New Delhi station.
To a question about action taken, Vaishnaw said, “I have maintained a principle of ‘We Fail’. So far, as far as action is concerned, we haven’t taken any against any official as we are waiting for the inquiry committee’s report. This is in line with the principle of natural justice.”
With regard to a time frame for the committee set up by railways to submit its report, he said no time period has been fixed as it will put undue pressure on its members.
He said railways will run a special campaign for all stations in Delhi, during which suggestions will be invited from all, including hawkers, coolies, street vendors, auto and taxi unions, passengers and police, on how resolve problems.