'Indian Railways Ignored Maha Kumbh Rush, Left Passengers Like Me Stranded'
At least 30 people without reservations had taken over not just the seats but also the floor, recounts Kamran Huda.
By: KAMRAN HUDA
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On the same night a deadly stampede at New Delhi Railway Station claimed 18 lives, I was waiting to board a train from Old Delhi Railway Station. While I mourn these tragic deaths, I feel fortunate to have returned safely from Delhi to my home in Bihar's Jamalpur.
Why do I say that? Because the Old Delhi station was likewise overcrowded and at risk of a similar disaster — one that, thankfully, did not occur.
I came to Delhi on 11 February by Vikramshila Express to buy goods for my footwear shop. The train was packed with devotees heading to the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. That gave me a sense of the crowd I might encounter on my return journey on 15 February.
To play safe, I arrived at the station well ahead of my train Brahmaputra Mail's scheduled departure at 11:40 pm.
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