Taking lessons from the 2004 over-bridge stampede at Delhi railway station in which five persons had lost their lives, the Railway Protection Force has started a new initiative to ensure smooth passage for the passengers crossing the foot over-bridge.

The move has come in view of the heavy rush being witnessed on the over-bridge during the festival season starting from Dusshera. With recently introduced rule-books in their hands, the RPF personnel have been instructed to ensure smooth passage at the over-bridge by clearing the place of beggars who used to occupy the narrow passageway and the stairs.

The population of migrants from Bihar and UP leaving for their hometowns is also maximum in the festival season till Chhat Puja and platforms are fully occupied with little room for passage.

The RPF has placed its staff at different locations including overbridges and stairs and RPF personnel have also been instructed to not let passengers stand or sit on the foot over-bridge where heavy rush at the time of train departures led to chaos and confusion as people scurried to catch trains.

“We have started this innovative initiative in order to make the job of every personnel accountable and avoid stampede-like situations at the foot-overbridge at the railway station,” Post Commander of RPF, Gurjasbir Singh said. He said rule books specifying the roles of every personnel posted at different locations in and around the railway station have been circulated and the personnel have been asked to ensure compliance of their duties.