Petition Highlights Need for Expert Committee, Criticizes VIP-Only Deployment of Resources
New Delhi: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court in response to the tragic stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station on February 15, which claimed at least 18 lives and left hundreds injured. The petition, submitted by advocate Vishal Tiwari, has sought the formation of an expert committee to frame effective guidelines for crowd management and prevent such disasters in the future.
The plea attributes the incident to an overwhelming surge of passengers at platforms 12 and 14, primarily those traveling to Prayagraj for the ongoing Maha Kumbh. The situation escalated late Saturday night as thousands gathered to board a train, leading to the deadly stampede.
Court’s Response
The Supreme Court took note of the plea and reportedly remarked on the need for stronger mechanisms to prevent such tragedies. “Crowd management is a fundamental responsibility, especially at high-traffic areas like railway stations. The loss of lives in such incidents cannot be ignored,” the court observed during the initial hearing.
Failure to Use Resources for Public Safety
The petitioner pointed out that similar stampedes have occurred in the past, including a recent one at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, yet no concrete steps have been taken despite the availability of advanced crowd control measures.
“Today we have sufficient forces, volunteers, technology, and artificial intelligence, and yet such incidents still take place. It is a sorry state of affairs,” the plea stated. Tiwari further alleged that while advanced technology and resources are deployed for VIP security, the common people are left “at the mercy of God.”
A Call for Systematic Reforms
The PIL urges the Supreme Court to direct the government to establish long-term solutions for managing large gatherings at public places, particularly during religious and festive events. The petitioner emphasized that the authorities must take proactive steps rather than reacting after each tragedy.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear the matter further in the coming days, as public safety concerns at major transport hubs remain under scrutiny.
