Puri Railway Station Stampede Prevented by GRP-RPF Coordination

Puri, Odisha: In a timely and coordinated effort, the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) successfully averted a potential stampede at Puri Railway Station earlier today. The incident occurred during peak footfall hours as thousands of devotees continued to arrive for the ongoing Jagannath Rath Yatra, one of India’s largest religious gatherings.

According to railway officials, an unexpected surge of passengers at the station’s main concourse created a bottleneck situation that could have escalated into chaos. However, swift intervention by GRP and RPF personnel ensured crowd flow was redirected and managed without injury or disruption.

Swift Action Prevents Repeat of Recent Tragedy

The alertness of the security forces comes just days after a tragic stampede near the Gundicha Temple claimed three lives and injured over 50 devotees during the Rath Yatra procession. With public scrutiny high and crowd density increasing, the railway authorities had ramped up surveillance and deployed additional personnel at key transit points.

PHOTO | In a remarkable display of coordination and alertness, the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) jointly averted a potential stampede situation at Puri Railway Station earlier today. The Railway authorities have expressed deep gratitude to… pic.twitter.com/5Og2f43k2O

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 29, 2025

Eyewitnesses at the station praised the officers for their calm demeanor and effective crowd control. “They formed human chains and used loudspeakers to guide passengers to alternate exits. It was handled with professionalism,” said a local volunteer assisting with pilgrim services.

Railway Authorities Commend Security Forces

Senior officials from East Coast Railway and the Odisha Police have publicly commended the GRP and RPF teams for their vigilance. “Their coordination and presence of mind prevented what could have been another tragic incident,” said a spokesperson from the Railway Board.

With over 10 lakh devotees expected to pass through Puri during the nine-day festival, authorities have urged travelers to follow instructions and remain patient during peak hours.