After stampede at temple, Nalanda administration mandates police clearance for events

Biharsharif: In the wake of the tragic stampede at Sheetala Mata Temple in Nalanda that claimed several lives barely 10 days ago, the district administration has moved swiftly to plug systemic gaps in crowd management and disaster response ahead of the upcoming festive season.

With several major events scheduled in the coming days — including Dr B R Ambedkar Jayanti, Janaki Navami, Parshuram Jayanti, Veer Kunwar Singh Jayanti and other local festivals — the administration has made it mandatory for organisers to obtain prior permission and police clearance. Coordination meetings with event organisers before each programme have also been made compulsory.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on Friday, district magistrate (DM) Kundan Kumar directed officials to identify high-risk zones and adopt comprehensive planning at every level to prevent a repeat of such incidents. Senior officials from the administration, police and disaster management departments attended the meeting, which focused on assessing preparedness and fixing accountability.

The recent stampede near Maghra village figured prominently during the discussions, with the DM asserting that public safety would be treated as “non-negotiable”. He warned that any negligence or laxity in compliance with safety protocols would invite strict action against those responsible.

Officials were instructed to strictly enforce venue capacity norms and ensure pre-event safety audits, CCTV surveillance, adequate barricading and clearly demarcated entry and exit routes. Emergency evacuation plans, dedicated corridors for ambulances and fire tenders, and deployment of medical teams will be mandatory at all major events.

Special focus has been placed on high-footfall religious and tourist sites in Rajgir, including Brahmakund, Surya Kund, Shanti Stupa, Makhdum Kund and the Nalanda ruins, where daily crowd pressure remains high. Departments have been asked to prepare monthly event calendars, realistic crowd estimation models and integrated communication strategies.

The administration also stressed the need for regular mock drills, training of personnel and seamless inter-departmental coordination. Public address systems, backup lighting arrangements and fully functional CCTV networks will be closely monitored.

Reinforcing its preparedness, the district has operationalised a 24x7 control room to respond to emergencies in real time, underscoring a zero-tolerance approach towards lapses and a renewed emphasis on safeguarding lives during mass gatherings.
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