Mahakumbh: Railway stations in UP on high alert after Delhi stampede

In the wake of a stampede at New Delhi railway station, strict security measures have been enforced in major stations in Uttar Pradesh to manage the massive crowds heading for Mahakumbh.

Stringent protocols have been implemented in Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Kanpur, Lucknow and Mirzapur stations which have been witnessing a heavy flow of devotees.

"We are strictly adhering to the previously established protocols, which were successfully implemented during festivals like Mauni Amavasya and Basant Panchami,” a top railway official told news agency PTI.

Entry of passengers at Prayagraj Junction has been restricted to the city side. The passengers are held in secure areas until their train arrives. 

The same measures are in place at both Jhunsi and Rambagh stations in the city. Varanasi Junction station director Arpit Gupta said platform changes are communicated at least 90 minutes in advance to prevent stampede-like situations.

In most of the places, vehicle entry is banned around the station while barriers have been placed at key locations to control the crowd.

In Ayodhya, separate entry and exit points have been established for pilgrims. Over 300 staff members and 200 CCTV cameras have been deployed to handle the daily influx of around 1.5 lakh passengers, reports said, quoting officials.

At least 18 people, including 11 women and five children, died and several others were injured in the stampede at New Delhi railway station on Saturday night when thousands of passengers, mostly Mahakumbh pilgrims, crowded the station to board trains to Prayagraj.

The Mela, which started on January 13 and will continue till February 26, continues to draw millions of pilgrims from India and the world daily.