Puri: Two days before the tragic stampede at Saradhabali near Gundicha Temple claimed three lives, the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) successfully averted a similar situation at Puri railway station that witnessed a massive influx of passengers for Rath Yatra on Friday (June 27).
As the chariot-pulling of deities concluded, thousands of devotees flooded the station to catch trains, creating a chaotic, stampede-like situation. Senior officials quickly reworked deployment strategies. Human chains and rope cordons were set up at all key points–station gates, concourse, platform–to control crowd flow. Quick Reaction Teams were activated, and extra manpower rushed to congested areas.
Zig-zag barricades were set up inside the station from 5 pm to 11 pm to manage the flow of people and regulate the crowd with a focus on protecting vulnerable groups like the elderly, women, and children.
Around 15 to 20 passengers reportedly fainted due to the crowd but were promptly given first aid by GRP and RPF personnel, who also helped them board their trains.
Additional trains were arranged in real-time to handle the rush, ensuring smooth departures.
ADG, Railways and Coastal Security, Arun Bothra and Cuttack Railways SP Vivekanand Sharma supervised the situation till late night with Principal Chief Security Commissioner Alok Bohra and Senior Divisional Security Commissioner Mithun Soni monitoring the security arrangements.
Railway authorities have commended the GRP and RPF for their effective handling of the overcrowding crisis at the station.
