Crowd Crush Tragedies and Lessons for India

 

 

Context

Recently, nearly 30 people died at the Maha Kumbh due to a crowd crush. The situation highlights the urgent need for better crowd management strategies in India.

  • This article tries to cover all aspects related to crowd crush and also explores its prevention techniques for greater crowd safety in India.

 

 

 

Dimensions of the Article:

  • What Are the Main Causes of Crowd Crush Incidents in India?
  • Stampede Incidents in India
  • How can India prevent stampede disasters in religious events?
  • Disaster Management in India: Lessons from Crowd Crush Incidents
  • Why Do Stampedes Happen in India?

 

 

What Are the Main Causes of Crowd Crush Incidents in India?

High Crowd Density

  • Scientific studies reveal that crowd injuries occur when density exceeds five persons per square meter, and fatalities rise when it reaches seven persons per square meter or more.
  • Poorly designed spaces that accommodate more people, like Kumbh Mela and other festivals, increase the crowd density.

Bottlenecks and Obstructions

  • Narrow passageways, barriers, and debris create chokepoints, leading to compression and panic.
  • Such bottlenecks were a key factor in past tragedies like the Sabarimala temple stampede (2011) and Pushkar fair incident (2008).

Unregulated Crowd Flows

  • Staggered entry/exit times and improper crowd segmentation make it more likely for a stampede to occur.
  • For example, the recent incident at the Maha Kumbh highlights the repeated trend of such disasters due to the uncontrolled inflow of crowds.

Negligence in Safety Measures

  • Event organisers and local authorities often fail to implement adequate crowd safety measures for large events in India, prioritising revenue over safety.

 

 

Stampede Incidents in India

India has witnessed numerous festival crowd disasters, especially during mass gatherings:

  • Sabarimala Temple Stampede (2011): Over 100 deaths due to overcrowding on a narrow pathway.
  • Mumbai Elphinstone Stampede (2017): Overcrowding on a footbridge resulting in 23 deaths at a railway station.
  • Patna Gandhi Maidan Incident (2014):  Around 33 people died because of improper exit points.

 

 

How can India prevent stampede disasters in religious events?

Implement NDMA Guidelines on Crowd Control

  • Clear protocols have been issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to curb crowd crush tragedies, including:
    • Capacity planning for venues.
    • Multiple entry and exit points.
    • Real-time monitoring of crowd density.

Adopt Smart City Solutions for Crowd Safety

  • AI and AI-enabled surveillance systems that provide real-time crowd movements can be incorporated.
  • Even before potential bottlenecks become disastrous, predictive analytics can be used to identify such hotspots to take preventive measures.

Best Practices for Crowd Management in India

  • Segmenting crowds: Divide large gatherings into smaller, manageable groups, as done during New Year’s Eve in Times Square, New York.
  • Staggered arrivals: Schedule entry and exit times to prevent sudden surges.
  • Clear pathways: Ensure routes are free from obstructions and debris.

Role of Police in Crowd Control

  • Train police forces in crowd psychology and disaster response techniques.
  • Deploy officers strategically to guide and manage crowd flows.

Public Awareness Campaigns

  • Educate attendees about safety practices at large events to prevent panic during emergencies.

 

 

Disaster Management in India: Lessons from Crowd Crush Incidents

Kumbh Mela Stampede History

  • The Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, has witnessed multiple stampedes over decades.
  • Lessons include better crowd flow management, increased emergency exits, and stricter enforcement of safety measures.

Festival Crowd Disasters in India

  • Events like Durga Puja and Ganesh Chaturthi attract millions, highlighting the need for advanced crowd safety measures tailored to India’s cultural context.

Economic Incentives vs. Public Safety

  • Event organisers often prioritise profits over safety, packing venues to maximise revenue. Sensible regulations can balance economic interests with public safety.

 

 

Why Do Stampedes Happen in India?

Crowd disasters in India are often attributed to:

  • Lack of adherence to NDMA guidelines on crowd control.
  • Insufficient investment in infrastructure and planning for large events.
  • Overreliance on outdated safety practices rather than adopting smart city solutions.

 

 

Way Forward:

  • Stronger Regulations: Laws that mandate strict guidelines and stringent punishments must be incorporated for all large gatherings.
  • Integrated Technology: Assistance can be taken with the help of drones and AI-powered cameras to access crowd and manage them.
  • Enhanced Coordination: Foster inter-departmental collaboration among police, disaster management authorities, and local governments to ensure seamless execution of safety protocols.

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