More police personnel deployed to platforms after New Delhi Railway Station stampede. At least 18 people, mostly women and children, died in a stampede while waiting to board trains to Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh festival is being hosted. More police personnel have now been deployed to the platforms and ropes are being used to regulate the crowds. Additional special trains are being run from New Delhi to clear the rush of devotees, says railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. According to the Uttar Pradesh government, over 50 crore devotees have so far taken a holy dip during the event, which started on January 13 and will continue till February 26. The event has also led to massive traffic in Prayagraj and neighbouring cities, says the government. The railway authorities have denied the claim that a rumour spread among people that a different train was going to arrive on a different platform. The committee has commenced its inquiry and has given orders to secure all video footage of the New Delhi railway Station.
