Stampede at Bandra Terminus Raises Safety Concerns
On Sunday, a stampede at Bandra railway station in Mumbai injured nine people, prompting Western Railways to impose temporary restrictions on platform ticket sales at several stations in the Mumbai division. This measure aims to manage crowds during the festive season.
Details of the Incident
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported that eight individuals were injured in the stampede at Bandra Terminus. To reduce platform crowding, ticket sales have been restricted at Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra Terminus, Borivali, Vasai Road, Vapi, Valsad, Udhna, and Surat stations until November 8, 2024, covering the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals.
Political Reactions
Opposition leaders criticized Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for inadequate crowd control measures. Rahul Gandhi highlighted the incident as a sign of “India’s crumbling infrastructure,” while NCP’s Jayant Patil and Shiv Sena’s Anand Dubey condemned the government’s lack of accountability.
Government Response
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered an investigation into the incident. BJP MP Ravi Kishan expressed concern, noting the chaos due to the festive season. Western Railway CPRO Vineet Abhishek explained that the stampede occurred as passengers attempted to board a moving train. Measures such as additional ticket counters and staff have been implemented to ensure safety.
Current Measures
Western and Central Railway have issued 2,300 notifications about additional trains, and extra staff and information channels are in place to manage operations during the festive season. The injured were taken to KB Bhabha Municipal General Hospital for treatment.
Doubts Revealed
Stampede -: A stampede is when a large group of people start running in a panic, often causing people to fall and get hurt. It usually happens in crowded places when people feel scared or rushed.
Bandra Terminus -: Bandra Terminus is a railway station in Mumbai, India. It is one of the major stations in the city where many trains start and end their journeys.
Western Railways -: Western Railways is one of the zones of Indian Railways. It manages train services in the western part of India, including Mumbai.
Platform ticket -: A platform ticket is a ticket that allows people to enter the railway platform without traveling on a train. It is usually bought by people who want to see off or receive someone at the station.
Rahul Gandhi -: Rahul Gandhi is an Indian politician and a member of the Indian National Congress party. He is known for being a prominent leader in Indian politics.
Ashwini Vaishnaw -: Ashwini Vaishnaw is an Indian politician and the current Railway Minister of India. He is responsible for overseeing the Indian Railways and its operations.
Infrastructure -: Infrastructure refers to the basic physical systems and structures needed for a country to function, like roads, bridges, and railways. Good infrastructure is important for transportation and daily life.