Crowd Management

Table of contents

Recently, a stampede in Tirupati during the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival resulted in six deaths and several injuries. The incident occurred when a gate was opened to assist an unwell woman, causing a rush among devotees seeking darshan tokens.

Crowd management is systematically planning and implementing strategies to ensure people’s safety, order, and efficient movement in public spaces, large gatherings, or events. It involves coordination among event organisers, emergency services, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to prevent overcrowding, minimise risks, & address emergencies while enhancing the overall experience for attendees.

Structural Issues: Collapse of unauthorised structures, narrow pathways, absence of emergency exits, or difficult terrains.
Fire/Electrical Hazards: Fires, faulty electrical connections, building code violations, or power failures cause panic.
Inefficient Crowd Control: Overcrowding, inadequate staffing, locked exits, and poor event planning.
Unruly Crowd Behaviour: Panic, rush for supplies, competition at events, or irresponsible actions by attendees.
Security Failures: Inadequate or untrained security personnel, lack of surveillance, and poor emergency response systems.
Coordination Gaps: Poor collaboration among agencies, inadequate resources, and delays in communication or action.

Loss of Life and Injuries: Large-scale fatalities and severe injuries disrupt families, leaving a lasting void and emotional pain.
Economic Hardship: Families, especially from marginalised sections, face financial strain due to the loss of breadwinners, medical expenses, and funeral costs.
Psychological Trauma: Survivors and witnesses experience PTSD, anxiety, and depression, affecting their mental well-being and productivity.
Damage to Infrastructure and Property: Significant destruction of public and private assets leads to economic losses and long-term recovery challenges.
Erosion of Trust in Institutions: Negligence in planning and execution undermines public confidence in organizers, authorities, and institutions managing such events.
Socio-Economic and Cultural Disruptions: Temporary closures of businesses & transportation networks, combined with diminished participation in cultural & religious gatherings, disrupt community life.

Article 19 of the Constitution: Article 19(1)(b) grants citizens the right to assemble peacefully and without arms, but this right can be restricted under Article 19(3) in the interest of public order, security, and morality.
Police Act of 1861: The Police Act regulates lawful assemblies and processions, allowing authorities to impose conditions for ensuring public order and preventing inconvenience during large gatherings.
Disaster Management Act, 2005: The Act addresses crowd management by dealing with human & vehicular traffic, focusing on safety, emergency response, & disaster mitigation during large events.

About Stampede

A stampede is a sudden, uncontrollable mass movement of people, often resulting in injuries or fatalities. It typically occurs in confined spaces due to panic, perceived threats, or an overwhelming desire to reach a goal.

Unidirectional Stampedes: Occur when a crowd moving in the same direction encounters a sudden change in force, such as a sudden stop or broken barriers.
Turbulent Stampedes: Happen in situations with uncontrolled crowds, induced panic, or crowds merging from multiple directions.

Crowd Profiling & Understanding: Assess crowd behaviour based on event type (e.g., religious, political) to tailor strategies.
Data-driven decision-making: Analyse historical data and crowd behaviour patterns to improve planning and risk mitigation.
Unified Control System: Establish a centralised control room to manage activities and coordinate real-time responses.
Risk Assessment & Logistical Planning: Conduct to identify hazards and ensure optimal transportation and traffic management.
Leverage Technology: Use tools like GIS, CCTV, UAVs, SMS alerts, and RFID tags for crowd monitoring, rumour control, and early warning.
Medical Preparedness: Ensure first-aid staff, emergency kits, & lifesaving medicines are readily available.

Real-Time Monitoring: Continuously monitor crowd behaviour to detect potential emergencies early.
Crowd Size Estimation: Estimate crowd numbers accurately to allocate resources effectively.
Effective Communication: Use loudspeakers and public announcement systems to keep the crowd and management teams informed.
Crowd Flow Management: Ensure accessibility of emergency exits and provide alternative routes to manage crowd pressure.
Community Collaboration: Involve NGOs and civil defence teams in crowd flow management and medical assistance.

Reference: Indian Express | PMF IAS: Stampede and Crowd Management

Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach. (2020)
How important are vulnerability and risk assessment for pre-disaster management? As an administrator, what are key areas that you would focus in disaster management? (2013)

Introduction: In the introduction, briefly define crowd disaster and its consequences.
Body: Discuss the causes of crowd disasters and measures needed for effective crowd management.
Conclusion: Write a way forward & conclude by highlighting the need for the right measures.