Hours after the horrific stampede at New Delhi railway station on Saturday, Asansol railway station witnessed a similar situation as a massive crowd of pilgrims, many without reservations, gathered to board the Prayagraj Express via Mumbai Local.
Eyewitnesses described the chaotic scene, recalling the overwhelming rush and lack of crowd management. Locals expressed anger toward railway officials and the administration for not learning from the tragic Delhi incident. The crowd wasn’t limited to Asansol residents; people from neighboring areas of Bihar also tried to board the train, with many attempting entry through emergency gates. So far, no casualties or injuries have been reported.
While the Mahakumbh has officially recorded several stampedes and fatalities in the past month, the recurrence of such incidents raises serious concerns about the preparedness of the event organizers. Many people believe that the reported death toll does not reflect the actual number of lives lost, suspecting an attempt to downplay the tragedy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have expressed their condolences over the recent incidents. However, the question remains: Are we truly prepared to handle a Mahakumbh with a projected 40 crore attendees, or are the authorities more focused on projecting impressive numbers rather than addressing safety concerns?
