Stampede Management in India

At least 18 people were killed and several others injured in a stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station.

What is a Stampede?

• A stampede is a chaotic and dangerous surge of people in a crowd, often triggered by perceived danger or the sudden loss of physical space.
• It leads to panic and irrational movement, with individuals rushing for self-protection.
• This disorderly movement can cause injuries and fatalities.
• It usually happens when a crowd behaves uncontrollably due to panic, overcrowding, or other triggers.
• Major Causes of Stampedes in India
  • Structural Causes: Collapse of Makeshift Structures; Improper Design; Narrow Passageways; Difficult Terrain; Absence of Emergency Exits:
  • Fire and Electricity Failures: Fire Hazards; Electricity Failures; Building Code Violations
  • Crowd Behavior: Craze and Haste; Uncontrolled Rush at Exits; Anxious or Competitive Behavior; Unruly Behavior
  • Security Issues: Understaffed Security; Lack of Surveillance; Inadequate Police Force
  • Lack of Coordination Among Stakeholders: Poor Coordination; Inadequate Infrastructure; Communication Failures

Impact of Stampedes in India

• Human Trauma and Loss: Families face emotional and psychological trauma due to the loss of loved ones in stampedes. Survivors often experience physical injuries and emotional scars.
• Economic Hardship: Stampede victims often come from lower-income families. Their deaths lead to a loss of breadwinners, causing severe economic distress. Medical expenses and funeral costs further strain the victims' families.
• Loss of Social and Human Capital: The death of young people, especially women and children, leads to a loss of productive workforce, affecting the social and economic fabric of the community.
• Erosion of Trust: Repeated stampedes lead to a loss of faith in organizers and authorities responsible for safety, especially when poor planning and negligence are involved.

Challenges in Implementing Guidelines

Despite the presence of guidelines, implementation remains challenging due to:

• Lack of Adoption: Many state governments and local authorities fail to adopt or implement crowd management guidelines.
• High Tolerance for Crowds: Indian society has a higher tolerance for crowded spaces, which contributes to a greater risk of overcrowding during mass gatherings.
• Infrastructural Limitations: Rapid urbanization and a growing population make it harder to manage crowds in already overcrowded urban areas and religious sites.
• Accountability Issues: Many agencies responsible for overseeing mass gatherings fail to adhere to safety and security protocols, leading to insufficient planning and oversight.

Way Forward

To reduce the risk of stampedes, a multi-faceted approach is required:

• Legislation and Governance: The Supreme Court’s observation in the Uphaar Cinema Tragedy calls for comprehensive legislation dealing with tort liability and ensuring accountability of authorities.
• Technological Integration: Advanced technologies like HD CCTV, drones for surveillance, facial recognition, and robotic support should be implemented to better manage crowds.
• Capacity Evaluation: Before hosting mass gatherings, the capacity of the venue or structure should be assessed. Existing infrastructure problems must be addressed to ensure safety.
• Training and Professionalism: Special training programs for event managers, police, and security personnel should be implemented to enhance crowd control and disaster management capabilities.
• Engagement of Civil Society: Local NGOs, volunteers, and community organizations should be involved in disaster preparedness, traffic control, and crowd management.
• Learning from Global Best Practices: India should learn from global crowd management practices, such as the crowd control strategies used during the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, which successfully handles large-scale crowds.