The tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, which claimed at least 18 lives and left many injured, is yet another grim reminder of the urgent need for better crowd management and safety measures in India’s railway system. Overcrowding at railway stations is a longstanding issue, yet little has been done to implement effective solutions. The chaos that unfolded was not an isolated event but part of a recurring pattern of poor planning, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of proactive measures to prevent such disasters. The stampede occurred after two delayed trains caused congestion at the station while a third train, bound for Prayagraj for the ongoing Kumbh Mela, was waiting to depart.

The rush of passengers trying to board and navigate through the overcrowded station created a deadly situation. Reports indicate that the immediate trigger was a passenger slipping on the stairs, which set off a chain reaction of panic as people pushed forward, leading to a stampede on staircases, footbridges, and........

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