NDLS stampede: Railways in "doldrums", says Congress' BK Hariprasad

Kalaburagi (Karnataka) [India], February 16 (ANI): Congress leader BK Hariprasad on Sunday criticised Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the stampede at New Delhi Railway station, stating that the railways are in a state of "doldrums."
Speaking to ANI, Hariprasad said, "Even after the death of hundreds of passengers and onlookers, the railway minister is reluctant to step down from the railway ministry."
"...Ashwini Vaishnaw, who was an IAS officer and is now the railway minister, should concentrate on the northern states where many accidents have taken place. Hundreds have lost their lives in accidents and stampedes," the Congress leader said.
"The railways are in doldrums... This man, even after the death of hundreds of passengers and onlookers, is reluctant to step down from the railway ministry. It's shameful. It shows how the ministry is functioning under PM Modi's regime," he added.
A tragic stampede occurred at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday, resulting in the loss of 18 lives. The incident happened around 10 pm when thousands of devotees were heading to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh 2025 festival, causing severe overcrowding at the station.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Railway, KPS Malhotra, the incident occurred when a large number of passengers gathered on platform no. 14, where the Prayagraj Express was stationed. Additionally, delays in the departures of the Swatantrata Senani Express and Bhubaneswar Rajdhani led to further congestion at platforms 12, 13, and 14.
A compensation of Rs 10 lakh was announced by Indian Railways for the families of the deceased who lost their lives in the tragic incident.
Additionally, Indian Railways announced a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh for those seriously injured in the incident and Rs 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.
Meanwhile, RML hospital sources said that most of the bodies of the deceased brought to the national capital's Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital following the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station had injuries on their chest and abdomen areas, with asphyxia being the likely cause of death.
Medical Superintendent of RML Hospital, Dr. Ajay Shukla, said, "We received five bodies, one male aged 25 years and four females - three in their thirties and one aged 70 years... Four bodies have been handed over to their families..."
Sources at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain Hospital (LNJP) indicated that a majority of the victims who sustained injuries in Saturday night's stampede suffered lower limb injuries, while others sustained bone injuries.
The injured admitted to the LNJP hospital in the national capital have been discharged by the doctors after primary treatment. A team of 15 doctors is currently taking care of the injured patients. (ANI)