By The Sampadak Express
The Delhi High Court has ordered the Railways to address critical issues regarding the sale of platform tickets and the overcrowding of train coaches, following the deadly stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on February 15. The court’s directive came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) highlighting these concerns.
In its ruling, the bench, led by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, instructed the Railway Board to examine the matters raised in the petition at the highest level. The Railways were also asked to file an affidavit detailing any decisions made to resolve these issues.
The PIL goes beyond the recent stampede, urging the implementation of existing legal provisions under the Railways Act. Specifically, Sections 57 and 147 were mentioned, which deal with limiting the number of passengers in each train compartment and regulating the sale of platform tickets for non-reserved passengers. Section 57 mandates that the Railway administration set a maximum capacity for passengers in each compartment, while Section 147 requires passengers without valid reservations to purchase platform tickets for entry into railway stations.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Railways, acknowledged the ‘unprecedented’ situation on the night of the stampede and assured the court that the concerns raised in the PIL would be reviewed at the highest level. However, the court pointed out a glaring issue: despite fixing passenger limits for coaches, the Railways continued to sell tickets beyond capacity, exacerbating the overcrowding. “If you fix the number of passengers per coach, why are extra tickets sold?” the bench questioned.
The court further emphasized that proper enforcement of legal provisions could potentially prevent such tragic incidents. The next hearing for the case is scheduled for March 26.
The February 15 stampede at New Delhi Railway Station tragically claimed the lives of 18 people and left 15 others injured. The chaos occurred amid heavy passenger traffic, partly due to the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Reports indicate that trains were packed, with many ticketless passengers attempting to travel in reserved compartments. Additionally, incidents of passengers vandalizing trains after being locked out of overcrowded coaches were also reported.
