New Delhi Railway Station stampede highlights the need for cap on platform occupancy

Railway stations in Delhi lack any crowd management protocols, while even malls and markets display their vehicle capacity limits and restrict additional cars once full.

There are no defined limits for platform occupancy, creating a dangerous situation, which has ultimately cost lives on several occasions.

Current and former railway officials have stressed the urgent need to modernise the system and take concrete actions, reported Raj Shekhar Jha of TOI. They said that besides the Maha Kumbh, Delhi stations face similar situations even during Holi and Chhat festivals.


They said that a key step needed to restrict access to platform is to allow only those with confirmed tickets. This must be done by setting up ticket checks at the platform entrance. This will limit the number of passengers on the platform significantly at any given time, particularly during peak hours. It can help prevent overcrowding and ensure that passengers are not put in harm's way.

However, before such measures, railways must first ensure that the infrastructure is in place to support the needs of all passengers, according to several retired officials.

"This includes providing adequate facilities for the handicapped, elderly, and those requiring special assistance. Ramps, elevators and accessible toilets are just a few examples of the infrastructure. The needs of the poor and the lesser educated also have to be catered to," a former railways divisional manager told TOI.

"Additionally, railways could consider making exceptions for family members or attendants accompanying elderly passengers or those with disabilities or special needs," said a senior police officer.

Many officials and senior police officers said that using artificial intelligence (AI) could become transformational and in addressing station overcrowding issues.

"Through AI-enabled predictive analytics, we can easily anticipate passenger volumes and identify potential congestion periods to implement appropriate crowd-control measures. The AI systems could also utilise real-time data from sensors and cameras to detect overcrowding and prompt immediate intervention," said a senior officer.

Railway authorities can use AI-powered analytics and take proactive measures, such as adjusting train schedules, diverting passengers to less crowded platforms, or deploying additional staff to manage the crowds.

AI-powered chatbots and mobile apps can provide passengers with travel advisories, helping to distribute the passenger load more evenly across different trains, platforms and stations, a senior officer who deals in police modernisation said.

Delhi Police has started using AI on several fronts, which ranges from suspect identification through facial recognition to chatbots. It has also been experimenting with predictive policing.

Crowds can also be managed by limiting the sale of general tickets during peak hours and bar waitlisted passengers from entering the platform, said officials.

"Strict enforcement of separate entry and exit points can also streamline passenger flow. Additionally, setting up permanent designated waiting areas for passengers outside the platforms can help prevent congestion," said an RPF official.

The consequences of overcrowding is immense with threat of stampedes, as seen in the incident on Saturday.

"Maybe it's time to take a cue from the way parking lots in the city are managed," a retired railway officer said.