Mumbai: Hours after the Bandra terminus stampede incident, the Central Railway on Sunday imposed temporary restrictions on the sale of platform tickets at select major stations including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Thane, Kalyan, Pune and Nagpur for 13 days.
The restriction of the sale of platform tickets is effective immediately until November 8 during Diwali and Chhath Puja. However, senior citizens and those with medical needs are exempted from these restrictions.
The central Railway said the step is being taken to manage crowding on platforms and ensure smooth passenger movement within station premises.
This comes after nine people suffered injuries and two were reported to be critical following a stampede at Bandra railway station early Sunday morning. The incident occurred when passengers tried to board a Gorakhpur-bound train while it was moving.
The train was being moved from the yard to the platform when the lined-up passengers made attempts to get inside it but didn't know that the doors were closed. Many people who came between two coaches and got pushed fell on the platform leading to injuries and chaos.
Oppn's Salvo At Maharashtra Govt And Railways Minister
The Maharashtra government is at the receiving end after the stampede incident with the opposition holding it responsible for what happened at Bandra terminus. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey said that there is no value of life in Maharashtra under the Mahayuti government.
"There is no value of life of a common man and the poor in the state under this govt… More than 9 people have been injured. Is there any answerability of railways and the minister for this?" he said, quoted ANI.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut asked whether the Railway Minister was not responsible for the incident. He alleged that more than 100 lives had been lost in 25 major train incidents since Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government assumed office for the third term, reported ANI.
"Since Modi government has come into power for the third term and the railway minister has been given the responsibility again, more than 25 major railway accidents have occurred in the country claiming more than 100 lives…", Raut told reporters.