New Delhi: Noting the heavy passenger rush at railway stations, Delhi High Court has directed senior railway officials and police officers to review crowd-management arrangements before every event expected to witness a large footfall.
The high court noted that the 2025 stampede showed that the effectiveness of any SOP ultimately depended on its implementation on the ground before and during crowded events. The report and the connected records shall be properly maintained and kept ready, so that they can be produced before the appropriate authority or court if any untoward incident takes place,” the court directed.
“Considering that the daily footfall at the station went up to 3,29,527 passengers on 24.10.2025, this court is of the view that the measures must be monitored and recorded for every crowded event,” Justice Amit Mahajan observed while hearing petitions arising from the 2025 New Delhi Railway Station stampede, in which 18 people died and 15 were injured. Stressing the need for authorities to adhere to the SOP framed after the tragedy, the court said a senior officer nominated by Railways must, at least a week before any such event, review the arrangements in coordination with Delhi Police and other agencies concerned. “The said officer shall prepare a written report recording the arrangements made and the steps taken for the event.