Answer

The Bengaluru stampede of 2025, during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebration near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulted in 11 deaths and over 50 injuries, exposing grave deficiencies in crowd control and urban disaster preparedness.

Causes of the Bengaluru Stampede

• Overcrowding Due to Miscommunication: The 35,000-capacity stadium was overwhelmed by 200,000 attendees due to unclear event schedules and entry protocols.
  Example: RCB’s social media updates caused simultaneous crowd convergence.
• Lack of Adequate Crowd Control Measures: The event was held without enough security staff or crowd control strategies despite advance warnings.
  Example: DCP M N Karibasavana Gowda’s letter warning about security gaps was ignored.
• Obstructions in Emergency Routes: LED advertising boards blocked exits, making evacuation difficult and hazardous.
  Example: Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) ignored a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)s notice to remove obstructive LED boards.
• Inadequate Infrastructure for Large Crowds: Limited exits and narrow access points caused bottlenecks and triggered panic.
  Example: Cubbon Park Walkers’ Association reported major crowd mismanagement and property damage.
• Delayed Response to Emerging Threats: Authorities failed to act at early signs of crisis, allowing the situation to escalate into tragedy.

Challenges in Controlling Crowd-Related Disasters

• Insufficient Training of Personnel: Event staff lack specialized training to manage large crowds effectively in crisis situations.
• Absence of Real-Time Monitoring Tools: Limited use of drones and surveillance impedes early detection of threats.
  Example: NDMA recommends AI-enabled surveillance for managing large gatherings.
• Overcrowding Due to Miscommunication: Unverified updates worsen congestion and disorganized crowd movement.
  Example: RCB celebration confusion resulted in chaotic crowd behaviour.
• Lack of Public Awareness Campaigns: Insufficient education on safety norms increases public vulnerability.
  Example: Brazil uses national media to run crowd safety awareness campaigns.
• Inadequate Infrastructure for Large Crowds: Many Indian venues remain unprepared for sudden influxes.
  Example: Times Square uses barricades and segmentations for secure crowd handling.

Lessons Learnt from Bengaluru Stampede

Strengthening Urban Disaster Preparedness

• Adherence to Safety Regulations: Compliance with safety codes is essential to avoid preventable disasters.
  Example: BBMP’s directive to remove LED boards was neglected by KSCA.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: Designing venues with multiple exits and emergency routes improves safety.
  Example: Tokyo has integrated evacuation paths in urban layouts.
• Regular Disaster Drills: Routine drills help both authorities and the public stay prepared.
  Example: NDMA promotes regular mock drills in Indian cities.
• Technology Integration: AI, drones, and data analytics improve real-time risk monitoring during mass events.

Public Event Risk Management

• Effective Crowd Control Measures: Deployment of trained personnel, barriers, and zoned entry points prevents overcrowding.
  Example: Mumbai Marathon successfully manages large crowds with segmented entry systems.
• Clear Communication Strategies: Accurate and real-time messaging prevents misinformation-induced panic.
  Example: Delhi Police provides live updates through mobile apps and social media.
• Digital Ticketing and Registration: Online systems help regulate crowd size and prevent unauthorized access.
  Example: KSCA could adopt RFID-enabled tickets to monitor and restrict entry.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Timely cooperation between police, organizers, and emergency responders ensures quick mitigation.
  Example: Kumbh Mela employs multi-agency coordination for safe event execution.

The Bengaluru stampede of 2025 underscores deep-rooted flaws in managing urban gatherings. Adopting stricter enforcement, technology-led planning, and multi-agency coordination is essential to ensure public safety and prevent future tragedies.

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