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Recently, a tragic stampede in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, claimed the lives of around 121 people, mostly women, during a religious gathering. Stampedes, characterised by impulsive mass movements of crowds, often result in severe injuries and fatalities. Notably, 79% of all stampedes in India between 1954-2012 occurred during religious mass gatherings, as reported in the study “Human Stampedes During Religious Festivals: A Comparative Review of Mass Gathering Emergencies in India.”

Stampedes: Threat to Public Safety in India:

• Loss of Lives: Stampedes often result in tragic loss of lives, primarily due to overcrowding and the ensuing panic. In crowded events like religious gatherings or festivals, a sudden surge or bottleneck can lead to people being trampled or suffocated.
  For example: During the 2013 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), more than 36 people lost their lives and dozens were injured in a stampede at the Allahabad railway station, triggered by pilgrims rushing to board trains.
• Injuries and Trauma: Beyond fatalities, stampedes cause injuries from minor to severe. The chaotic nature can lead to pushing, falling, and getting caught in the crush, resulting in fractures, bruises, and internal injuries. Survivors often suffer long-lasting psychological trauma from the harrowing experience.
  For example: In 2013, Ratangarh Temple stampede in Datia district, Madhya Pradesh left at least 115 people injured, with many sustaining fractures and bruises.
• Social and Economic Disruption: Stampedes not only affect individuals directly involved but also have broader social and economic repercussions. They can disrupt public order, strain emergency services, and impact local businesses/ infrastructure.
  For example: The stampede at Elphinstone Road railway station footbridge in Mumbai in 2017 is a stark example of the social and economic disruption caused by such incidents.

Factors Contributing to Stampedes in India:

Socio-economic Factors:

• Overcrowding due to High Population Density: India’s large population density means that events, especially religious gatherings, often attract massive crowds. This can lead to overcrowding, which heightens the risk of stampedes as people jostle for space.
  For example: The 2013 stampede at the Allahabad Railway Station during the Kumbh Mela, where millions gather for the festival, highlighted how high population density and the influx of pilgrims can lead to overcrowding and subsequent stampedes.
• Poverty and Lack of Infrastructure:  Limited financial resources in many regions of India result in poor infrastructure, such as narrow pathways, inadequate exits, and insufficient safety measures, which contribute to the severity of stampedes.
  For example: The 2005 stampede at Mandher Devi temple in Maharashtra was exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure
• Cultural and Religious Practices: India’s rich cultural and religious traditions often involve large gatherings, where safety measures may be overlooked in favour of accommodating as many participants as possible.
  For example: The 2011 Sabarimala stampede in Kerala occurred during a religious pilgrimage where the sheer number of devotees far exceeded the capacity of the venue

Psychological Factors:

• Panic and Fear: In a crowded setting, any unexpected event or rumour can quickly lead to panic, causing people to rush without direction, which can result in a stampede.
  For example: The 2014 stampede at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna during Dussehra celebrations saw panic spreading rapidly after rumours of a live wire causing a rush and resulting in a deadly stampede.
• Herd Mentality: When people are in large groups, they often follow the actions of those around them without individual decision-making, especially in high-stress situations.
  For example: The 2008 stampede at the Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh was driven by herd mentality
• Desperation and Urgency: In situations where individuals feel a strong need to reach a particular place or event quickly, the urgency can lead to chaotic and unsafe movements within a crowd.

Administrative Factors:

• Inadequate Crowd Management: Effective crowd management is often lacking, with insufficient planning and control measures to ensure orderly movement. This deficiency can create chaotic conditions, increasing the risk of stampedes.
• Deficient Emergency Preparedness: Many events suffer from a lack of emergency preparedness, with no clear evacuation plans or readily available medical support.
  For example: The 2008 Jodhpur stampede at Chamunda Devi temple highlighted the lack of a well-prepared emergency response. 

Strategies to Mitigate the Risks of Stampedes in the Future:

• Enhanced Crowd Management: Implementing effective crowd control measures, such as designated entry and exit points, barriers, and trained personnel, can help manage the flow of people and prevent overcrowding.
• Improved Infrastructure: Upgrading venues with wider pathways, multiple exits, and robust safety barriers ensures that large crowds can move safely and evacuate quickly in case of an emergency.
• Emergency Preparedness: Developing and regularly updating comprehensive emergency plans, including clear evacuation routes and readily available medical aid, ensures prompt and efficient responses to crises.
  For instance: After the tragic stampede at the Chamunda Devi temple in Jodhpur in 2008, authorities emphasised emergency preparedness by developing comprehensive plans, establishing clear evacuation routes, and ensuring the availability of medical aid to provide prompt and efficient responses to any future crises.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public on safe behaviour during large gatherings and the importance of remaining calm in emergencies can reduce panic and the risk of stampedes.
• Use of Technology: Leveraging technology, such as surveillance cameras, real-time crowd monitoring systems, and mobile apps for communication, can help authorities track crowd movements and respond quickly to potential hazards.
  For example: During the Kumbh Mela(2021) in Haridwar, authorities utilised surveillance cameras, real-time crowd monitoring systems, and mobile apps to track crowd movements and respond swiftly to potential hazards, ensuring the safety of millions of attendees.

Leveraging AI for real-time crowd monitoring and predictive analytics has the potential to revolutionise public safety at mass gatherings in India. Additionally, enhanced virtual reality training and smart infrastructure will transform event management, making large-scale events safer and more efficiently controlled.