30-December-2024-Editorial

STAMPEDE MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY MEASURES

A recent incident in Hyderabad involving a Telugu actor’s surprise appearance led to a stampede, drawing attention once again to the concerns surrounding crowd management and safety in India. Stampedes have been a recurring problem during public events, festivals, and religious gatherings, where large crowds are difficult to control. The lack of proper planning and infrastructure often results in tragic consequences.

What is a Stampede?

A stampede is an uncontrolled and sudden rush of people or animals, typically triggered by panic, fear, or excitement. It occurs in crowded environments where the density of people restricts their movement, leading to chaos and potentially causing injuries or fatalities.

Causes of Stampedes

Stampedes can result from several interrelated factors, categorized as human, infrastructure, and organizational issues.

Human Factors:

• Panic or Fear: Sudden fear, such as rumors of a threat (e.g., fire, explosion), can cause widespread panic, resulting in a stampede.
• Excitement: Overwhelming enthusiasm during celebrations or events like concerts can lead to a loss of control, pushing people to rush toward a specific point.
• Impatience or Aggression: Long waiting times or limited access points can cause frustration, leading to pushing and shoving among the crowd.

Infrastructure Factors:

• Overcrowding: Insufficient space and overcrowded venues increase the risk of crushing or trampling, especially in confined areas.
• Poor Facilities: Narrow pathways, blocked exits, and a lack of safety barriers contribute to bottlenecks and prevent smooth crowd movement.
• Adverse Conditions: Slippery surfaces, inadequate lighting, or uneven terrain can lead to accidents, increasing the likelihood of a stampede.

Organizational Factors:

• Inadequate Crowd Management: A lack of trained personnel to control or direct large crowds can lead to chaos.
• Poor Planning: A lack of proper venue design, entry and exit points, and emergency evacuation plans increases the risk of stampedes.
• Communication Failures: If there are no clear instructions or guidance, confusion can spread among the crowd, triggering panic.

Causes and Impact of Stampedes

Cause of Death

During a stampede, the crushing pressure on the chest restricts the diaphragm’s movement, limiting the ability to breathe effectively. This leads to hypoxia (insufficient oxygen) and hypercapnia (excess carbon dioxide), which are life-threatening conditions.

Impacts of Stampedes

• Physical Impact: High fatality rates due to crushing or trampling. Common injuries include fractures, bruises, and broken bones as people are pushed or trampled in the crowd.
• Psychological Impact: Survivors or witnesses of stampedes often experience psychological trauma, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and panic attacks, which may persist long after the event.
• Legal Impact: Major stampedes lead to public outcry and often result in calls for stricter regulations and enhanced crowd management protocols for large public events.
• Infrastructure Impact: Stampedes can damage physical infrastructure like barriers, buildings, and event setups, leading to significant repair and upgrade costs.

Deadly Stampedes in India

India has witnessed several deadly stampedes, particularly during religious or cultural gatherings, which highlight the critical need for effective crowd management.

• Hathras, 2024: A stampede during a religious event led to the deaths of at least 121 people, mostly women and children.
• Mumbai Pedestrian Bridge, 2017: 22 people died during rush hour on a pedestrian bridge, illustrating the danger of overcrowding in high-traffic areas.
• Allahabad Train Station, 2013: A stampede during the Kumbh Mela led to 36 deaths when a platform was unexpectedly changed.
• Naina Devi Temple, 2008: 145 people died in a stampede triggered by rumors of a landslide during a religious gathering.
• Mandhardevi Temple, 2005: Over 265 people were killed, and hundreds were injured at the Mandhardevi Temple in Maharashtra due to a stampede during a religious event.

NDMA Guidelines for Controlling Stampedes

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has laid out several guidelines for preventing stampedes during public events:

Infrastructure Development

• Ensure that venues and access routes are equipped to handle large crowds. Special consideration is needed for locations in disaster-prone areas, such as hilly regions with narrow paths.
• Create separate routes for normal, express, and emergency flows to ensure smooth movement, especially for vulnerable groups like children, elderly, and disabled individuals.

Panic Management: Train personnel to intervene swiftly in case of incidents, such as rumors or sudden events (e.g., loud noises), which could trigger panic and lead to stampedes.

Crowd Control: Promote a community-based approach to crowd control, focusing on communication and understanding rather than relying on force. This helps manage crowds in a more organized and safe manner.

Demand Management: Analyze historical data on crowd behavior, including arrival patterns and peak periods. Advanced ticketing and registration systems can help manage the inflow of people and avoid overcrowding.

Fire Safety: Implement measures to prevent fires, such as ensuring safe electrical wiring, monitoring LPG cylinders, and exercising caution with fireworks and flammable materials during events.

About the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

Purpose

• The NDMA is India’s premier statutory body for managing disasters, established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It works to create effective disaster management mechanisms at both state and district levels.

Responsibilities

• NDMA formulates policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management, with a focus on prevention, mitigation, preparedness, and response.
• The authority’s vision is to create a disaster-resilient India through proactive measures and sustainable development strategies.

Way Forward

• Live Crowd Tracking: Implement advanced technologies like thermal sensors and LiDAR to monitor crowd density in real time. Artificial intelligence can be used to predict crowd surges and trigger early warnings.
• Enhanced Communication Tools: Install interactive displays providing information on wait times, evacuation routes, and crowd control in multiple languages to help manage crowds effectively.
• Lighting and Pathway Systems: Introduce crowd-responsive lighting that adjusts according to crowd density. Additionally, bioluminescent pathways could guide movement in low-light conditions during emergencies.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch campaigns to educate the public on crowd safety protocols and appropriate behavior during large gatherings to prevent panic and accidents.

Conclusion

The recent stampede in Hyderabad serves as a stark reminder of the importance of efficient crowd management in India. By adopting better infrastructure, training personnel, and using technology, India can reduce the risk of stampedes and ensure the safety of people during public events. The implementation of NDMA’s guidelines and the use of innovative tools can pave the way for safer and more organized gatherings.