Why in news?
A series of fatal stampedes at religious gatherings and crowded public events in 2025 prompted renewed discussion about crowd management in India. Authorities cited the National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) guidelines while reviewing safety measures for upcoming festivals.
Understanding stampedes
A stampede is a sudden, chaotic movement of a dense crowd that leads to crushing injuries and suffocation. Panic, poor crowd control and obstacles that block exits can trigger a deadly rush. High crowd density (more than three people per square metre), emotional stress and structural failures contribute to such disasters.
Factors leading to stampedes
- Psychological triggers: Fear of missing out (for example, on a religious ritual or limited supply), rumours of danger or perceived scarcity can prompt people to push forward.
- Poor infrastructure: Narrow entrances, blocked exits, inadequate lighting and collapsing barriers create bottlenecks.
- Inadequate planning: Lack of route maps, crowd segmentation and trained volunteers means that crowds cannot be guided effectively.
- Environmental factors: Heat, humidity and long waiting times can increase restlessness and reduce patience.
NDMA guidelines for crowd safety
- Pre‑event planning: Prepare a detailed crowd management plan with route maps, entry and exit points, and emergency protocols. Use barricades to create lanes and restrict access once capacity is reached.
- Technology and surveillance: Install CCTV cameras, thermal and LiDAR sensors to monitor crowd density in real time. Drones with thermal imaging can provide aerial views, and interactive displays can communicate instructions.
- Medical preparedness: Station ambulances, first‑aid teams and fire‑fighting equipment on site. Coordinate with nearby hospitals for quick evacuation.
- Training and awareness: Train police and volunteers in crowd psychology. Conduct public awareness campaigns to educate attendees about following instructions and not rushing.
Looking ahead
As India hosts large religious festivals, sporting events and political rallies, crowd safety must become a priority. Authorities should enforce occupancy limits, maintain infrastructure and use technology to monitor crowd behaviour. Public cooperation is equally important; attendees need to remain calm, follow instructions and avoid rumour‑mongering.