Railways Offers Rs10 Lakh Compensation to Families of Deceased in New Delhi Station Stampede

New Delhi: Indian Railways has announced ex gratia payments of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the 18 victims who died in the tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night. The victims, primarily from Bihar, Delhi, and Haryana, were caught in a chaotic overcrowding incident linked to delays in two trains bound for the Maha Kumbh.

In addition to the compensation for the deceased, Rs 2.5 lakh has been granted to the three critically injured passengers, while Rs 1 lakh each has been provided to the ten passengers with minor injuries. Over Rs 195 lakh has been distributed so far.

A total of 15 passengers were injured, with 11 discharged from the hospital after treatment. Four remain hospitalized. Eyewitnesses reported that overcrowding on platforms 14 and 15, worsened by train delays, led to the chaos. The stampede occurred when passengers from the delayed Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani, along with those waiting for the Prayagraj Express, flooded the platforms.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Railways), KPS Malhotra, noted that overcrowding was exacerbated by the sale of 1,500 general tickets. Disturbing images from the scene showed scattered belongings, highlighting the disorder.

Railway authorities have launched an inquiry, and the victims’ families are being assisted in returning home. Both President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed condolences for the tragedy.