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Mahakumbh Mela 2025 Stampede

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(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 18)

Topic: GS3 – Disaster Management
Context
● A stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela in Allahabad on January 29 resulted in 30 deaths and 60 injuries.

 Analysis of the news:

Causes of Stampedes

  • Stampedes are caused by structural weaknesses, poor crowd control, unexpected surges, and inadequate security.
  • The NDMA report highlights factors such as excessive crowding beyond capacity, lack of proper barricading, poorly planned entry/exit points, and weak coordination among stakeholders.
  • Sudden panic or excitement also accelerates crowd movement, leading to crushing and suffocation.

Role of Crowd Behavior

  • Crowd psychology plays a critical role in stampedes. Individuals often follow the actions of others, leading to a chain reaction.
  • Poorly managed control measures, such as misdirected police actions, can escalate chaos.
  • The NDMA suggests that a community-based crowd management approach is more effective than force-based control.

Lessons from Past Stampedes

  • Previous incidents, like the 2003 Nashik Kumbh and the 2005 Kalubai Yatra, reveal common failures: inaccurate crowd estimates, inadequate infrastructure, narrow and unsafe pathways, and lack of coordination among authorities.
  • The presence of vendors, poor security, and illegal electrical connections also contributed to disasters.

Strategies for Crowd Control

  • Effective crowd management requires a balance between controlling inflow, regulating movement, and ensuring safe dispersal.
  • Authorities must assess past crowd patterns, enforce mandatory registrations, and use technology for monitoring.
  • Infrastructure improvements like staging points, clear pathways, and public announcements can significantly reduce risks.

Need for Proactive Planning

  • The NDMA stresses proactive and holistic planning for religious events. Where infrastructure expansion is not possible, improving waiting areas and regulating entry through online registration can help.
  • Comprehensive information dissemination and coordination between stakeholders are crucial in preventing future stampedes.
                                What are the Impact of these Stampedes?
Stampedes at religious gatherings in India have significant impacts on local communities. Mentioned below are some of the major impacts.

1. Trauma and Loss- Witnessing a stampede tragedy and the resultant deaths and injuries causes immense trauma, especially for those who lost loved ones. For ex- Deadly stampede killing 121 people in Hathras.

2. Economic Hardship- The majority of victims in such stampedes come from lower castes and poor backgrounds. Their deaths leave families without primary breadwinners, causing economic hardship in the community. Also the cost of funerals and medical expenses further strain already limited resources.

3. Erosion of Trust- Repeated stampedes at Indian religious festivals due to similar failures further undermine faith in the ability of organizers to keep devotees safe. For ex- Gross negligence like poor planning, with insufficient exits, inadequate crowd control, and lack of emergency preparedness, by organizers and authorities erodes trust in religious institutions.

4. Loss of Social and Human Capital- Many young children and women are the victims of these stampede tragedies. This leads to loss of the productive social and human capital of the country.

Practice Question:  Frequent stampedes at religious gatherings in India highlight systemic failures in crowd management. Analyze the key causes and suggest effective measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. (150 Words /10 marks)

For more such UPSC related Current Affairs, Check Out –Yamuna Water Dispute: Political Row Over Ammonia Pollution in Delhi’s Supply

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