disaster
Indian Railways rolls out safety overhaul after New Delhi Station stampede

New Delhi, Feb 17: In the wake of the tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station in which over 18 people were killed and over a dozen were injured, the Railway Ministry has announced a comprehensive overhaul of crowd management protocols across the country.
As part of a special six-month campaign, Delhi’s railway stations will undergo significant improvements to enhance passenger safety and streamline their movement.
On Monday, the Ministry rolled out a series of initiatives aimed at preventing overcrowding and ensuring smoother passenger flow.
According to the Ministry, sixty high-traffic railway stations will now feature designated holding areas to control crowds effectively.
Advanced monitoring systems will track passenger density, particularly during train delays.
Local railway officials will receive specialised training in situational awareness and crisis management, the Ministry said.
Thirty-five key railway stations connected to Prayagraj will be under constant surveillance by the Central Railway War Room.
New Delhi Railway Station alone has seen the installation of 200 CCTV cameras to enhance security and monitoring.
With passenger numbers reaching 17 lakh at a single railway station during Mauni Amavasya, strategic measures have been introduced to manage such surges.
Holding areas and colour-coded enclosures will guide the movement of passengers in a more structured manner. Arrows and separators will help passengers navigate towards designated holding areas efficiently.
Twenty-one underpasses have been constructed in the last two years to ease pedestrian movement, the Ministry of Railways said.
Given that 90 per cent of Kumbh devotees travel from within a 300 km radius across four states, targeted monitoring will be implemented at relevant railway stations.
As per the new measures, cameras will be used to prevent congestion and unauthorised sitting on staircases and landing areas.
These proactive measures reflect the Railways’ commitment to passenger safety and efficient crowd management, ensuring that India’s bustling railway hubs remain secure and organised.
Earlier, the Delhi Police deployed six inspector-rank officers at the New Delhi Railway Station to enhance crowd management.
These officers, drawn from different districts, were specifically chosen for their experience in handling operations at the New Delhi Railway Station, one of the busiest transit hubs in the country.
Some of these officers had earlier served as Station House Officers (SHOs) at the station, giving them a strong understanding of the logistical and security challenges posed by large crowds.
On Saturday night, a stampede at the station resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, including five children, and left over a dozen injured.
The tragedy occurred due to a sudden surge of passengers waiting to board trains bound for Prayagraj.
The incident took place on the foot-overbridge connecting platform numbers 14 and 15, where some passengers slipped while descending, leading to panic and a fatal crush.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered an enquiry and set up a two-member high-level committee to investigate the lapses.
Following the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station, other stations in the country have also implemented emergency measures.
disaster
Mumbai’s Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sudhakar Pathare, who was posted in the Port Zone, passed away in a road accident on Saturday.

Pathare had visited Hyderabad for training. He was on his way to visit a temple with a relative when the accident occurred. Both Pathare and his relative lost their lives in the crash.
Mumbai Police have been informed about the incident.
More details are awaited.
disaster
India stands in solidarity with people of Myanmar: PM Modi

New Delhi, March 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed deep sorrow over the catastrophic earthquake in Myanmar, which has resulted in the loss of over 1,000 lives.
In a post on X, PM Modi posted, “Spoke with Senior General H.E. Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar. Conveyed our deep condolences at the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake.”
Under its Act East policy, India has launched ‘Operation Brahma’ to provide urgent relief to Myanmar. On Saturday, more than 15 tonnes of essential aid were dispatched following a series of powerful tremors that wreaked havoc on Friday.
Highlighting India’s unwavering commitment to assisting its neighbours in times of crisis, PM Modi further added, “As a close friend and neighbour, India stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in this difficult hour. Disaster relief material, humanitarian assistance, search and rescue teams are being expeditiously dispatched to the affected areas as part of Operation Brahma.”
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced the initiation of Operation Brahma, confirming that the first tranche of humanitarian aid had reached Yangon Airport on Saturday morning.
“Operation Brahma gets underway. First tranche of humanitarian aid from India has reached the Yangon Airport in Myanmar,” the EAM posted on X.
The Ministry of External Affairs emphasised India’s role as a first responder, stating that the relief consignment included tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food packets, hygiene kits, generators, and crucial medicines.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) transported the relief material aboard a C-130J aircraft from Air Force Station Hindon. The package comprises ready-to-eat meals, water purifiers, solar lamps, generator sets, and vital medical supplies such as paracetamol, antibiotics, syringes, gloves, and bandages.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Bangkok is closely monitoring developments in neighbouring Thailand, where tremors were also recorded. Officials confirmed that there have been no reports of any Indian citizens being affected.
The Embassy advised Indian nationals in Thailand to contact emergency services if needed, assuring that all Embassy staff in Bangkok and the Consulate in Chiang Mai are safe.
disaster
1,002 killed, 2,376 injured in devastating earthquake in Myanmar (Ld)

Mandalay, March 29: At least 1,002 were killed, 2,376 were injured, and 30 remained missing in the earthquake that rattled Myanmar, according to the Information Team of Myanmar’s State Administration Council on Saturday.
Rescue efforts have intensified in Myanmar despite severe disruptions to transportation and communication networks following a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Friday afternoon.
The quake, which originated near Sagaing, triggered 12 aftershocks ranging from 2.8 to 7.5 in magnitude, further worsening conditions in the affected areas.
The devastation has been widespread, with Mandalay, Bago, Magway, northeastern Shan State, Sagaing, and Nay Pyi Taw among the hardest-hit regions, reports Xinhua news agency.
The Myanmar government has declared a national emergency as emergency responders work tirelessly to assist those in need.
A critical transport link, the Yangon-Mandalay highway, suffered severe damage near Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay, making relief operations challenging.
People have resorted to using the older Yangon-Mandalay road to arrive at the quake-hit areas and facilitate rescue efforts. Additionally, the collapse of buildings in Mandalay Airport and sections of the highway has further disrupted travel between Yangon and Mandalay, Myanmar’s two largest cities.
Rescue teams, including fire service personnel from lower Myanmar, have arrived at the severely affected areas like Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay. However, damaged infrastructure, power outages, and disruptions to phone and internet services have complicated relief efforts.
International assistance has begun arriving. A Chinese rescue team landed in Yangon on Saturday morning to support Myanmar’s emergency response and provide aid to affected communities.
As authorities and rescue teams work around the clock to assist those impacted by the disaster, Myanmar faces the daunting task of recovering from one of its most powerful earthquakes in recent history.
With critical infrastructure damaged and essential services disrupted, coordinated relief efforts are urgently needed to help survivors rebuild their lives.
Myanmar leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has called for humanitarian assistance from both local and international communities. On Saturday morning, Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Mandalay to facilitate the rescue operations.
-
Crime3 years ago
Class 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra6 months ago
Mumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra6 months ago
Mumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra6 months ago
False photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News6 months ago
Ministry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Crime6 months ago
Baba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
-
Maharashtra5 months ago
Maharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News6 months ago
J&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface