Depressing pattern, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• A crowd collapse in an unregistered temple in Srikakulam occurred due to inadequate infrastructure and capacity overshoot.
• The 2024 Hathras crowd crush occurred due to inadequate exits and planning gaps, with attendance exceeding permitted capacity.
• The 2011 Sabarimala crush revealed systemic weaknesses in circulation control during predictable surges.
• Common causes include reciprocal pedestrian flows, weak infrastructure, and lack of real-time density monitoring.
• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines and the National Building Code (NBC) provide guidance to prevent such failures.
• Approximately 80% of stampedes in India occur at religious gatherings or pilgrimages.
• Disciplined adoption and enforcement of existing codes through licensing are crucial to reverse this pattern.

Detailed Insights:

• The Srikakulam incident involved a combined entry and exit, use of an under-construction area, and inadequate stewarding.
• The Hathras event occurred despite permission being granted for only a third of the crowd that attended.
• The Sabarimala crush was triggered by constrained pathways and systemic weaknesses in managing predictable surges.
• Indian authorities have demonstrated feasible solutions in recent Sabarimala seasons and at Tirumala using Integrated Command and Control Centres.
• These solutions include licensed plans compliant with NDMA or NBC prescriptions, calculated occupancy, and certified structures.
• Real-time density control by trained stewards and real-time communications and crowd analytics are also essential.
• Pilgrim and congregational events often proceed without licenses that tie permission to a crowd safety plan.
• Authorities often infer capacity from available space rather than egress options and evacuation times.
• A policy culture that treats religious events as engineered systems requiring licensing and auditing is needed.

Key Concepts Involved:

• NDMA Guidelines: National Disaster Management Authority guidelines provide a framework for disaster preparedness and mitigation.
• National Building Code (NBC): A comprehensive set of guidelines for regulating building construction activities across the country.
• Crowd Management: Strategies and techniques used to ensure the safety and well-being of large gatherings of people.