CM Mamata calls death of 18 Maha Kumbh pilgrims in New Delhi station stampede ‘heartbreaking’

A stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Sunday afternoon left 18 Maha Kumbh pilgrims dead and several others injured amid heavy rush. The incident occurred as thousands of devotees were traveling to Uttar Pradesh for the religious gathering, causing overcrowding at the station. Railway officials and local authorities have yet to release a detailed report on the causes, but preliminary accounts suggest congestion at ticket counters and platforms led to chaos. Rescue operations were launched immediately, and injured passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over the incident, calling it “heartbreaking” and highlighting the need for better planning to ensure safe transit for pilgrims. "This incident reminds us how crucial proper planning and management are for citizens' safety. Maha Kumbh pilgrims must receive better services," she posted on social media. She also extended condolences to the victims' families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Trinamool Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghosh criticized the central and Uttar Pradesh governments, blaming them for poor crowd management. She alleged that the Modi government had "completely failed to control the rush" and accused authorities of attempting to suppress crucial details. Officials are yet to respond to these allegations, while investigations into the incident continue. With millions expected to travel for the Maha Kumbh, authorities are under pressure to implement stricter crowd control measures at major transit points.