Model Answer

Introduction

Stampedes are tragic incidents resulting from a sudden, uncontrollable movement of people, often causing injuries or fatalities. The frequent occurrences of stampedes at public places in India can be attributed to several causes:

1. Structural Factors:
Temporary structures, such as barricades or makeshift bridges, often collapse under the pressure of large crowds. A prime example is the 2013 stampede near Ratangarh Mata Temple in Madhya Pradesh, where a collapsing bridge caused several deaths.

2. Fire Hazards:
Fires caused by short circuits or electricity failure create panic among large crowds, leading to a stampede. The Dabwali fire incident in Haryana (1995) serves as a tragic example, where 446 people lost their lives due to a fire-induced stampede.

3. Excessive Crowd:
Mass gatherings, particularly at religious events or political rallies, are a significant cause of stampedes. According to a study, 79% of stampedes in India between 1954 and 2012 occurred during religious mass gatherings, where crowd management becomes a significant challenge.

4. Lack of Coordination:
Inadequate coordination between different agencies, such as the police, administration, and fire services, exacerbates the risk of stampedes. This lack of coordination can result in delayed responses to crowd surges or emergency situations.

Measures to Prevent Stampedes

1. Better Design of Spaces for Mass Gatherings:
Designing spaces with multiple wide exits, fire safety systems, adequate ventilation, and crowd segregation can significantly reduce the risk of stampedes.

2. Live Crowd Surveillance:
Real-time monitoring of crowds using advanced technology, such as AI-based CCTV coverage and drones, can help detect pressure build-up and potential hazards. For example, during the 2024 Jagannath Rath Yatra, Odisha Police used AI-based surveillance to manage crowd density effectively.

3. Improved Communication and Coordination:
Establishing a clear communication system and allocating responsibilities among all agencies involved in crowd management can help prevent panic and ensure swift action during emergencies.

Conclusion

Preventing stampedes requires a multi-disciplinary approach, including better planning, design, and technological solutions. By addressing structural, coordination, and crowd-related issues, India can minimize the occurrence of these tragic events.

Model Answer

Steps Taken by Littoral States

The littoral states of the Bay of Bengal—India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand—have made considerable progress in disaster preparedness, focusing on key strategies to mitigate natural disaster impacts.

1. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): The region has seen significant collaboration in HADR, with India playing a pivotal role through its “five-fold framework for maritime engagement” to support regional disaster management efforts.
2. Enhanced Disaster Preparedness: The establishment of early warning systems (EWS), strengthening of coastal defences, and disaster management exercises have improved the region’s preparedness. For example, the BIMSTEC Centre on Weather and Climate (BCWC) has been instrumental in addressing weather-related challenges.
3. Improved Coordination: Regional cooperation has been fostered, with India hosting two disaster management exercises under BIMSTEC to improve response strategies among member countries.

Challenges Limiting Effectiveness

Despite these efforts, the disaster preparedness in the Bay of Bengal region remains limited due to several constraints.

1. Lack of a Regional Security Agenda: There is no dedicated security agenda focusing on shared natural disaster vulnerabilities, which hinders a unified approach to disaster management.
2. Fragmented Approaches: While individual countries have made strides, the regional coordination and integration of efforts remain weak. The primary regional organization, BIMSTEC, struggles with financial constraints and limited operational capacity.
3. Inadequate Infrastructure: Many regions in the Bay of Bengal suffer from poor infrastructure, such as fragile housing and high population density, which exacerbates the effects of disasters. For instance, the lack of robust infrastructure contributes to significant casualties during disasters.
4. Limited Inter-State Knowledge Sharing: There is insufficient exchange of best practices among the littoral states. While Bangladesh has a renowned Cyclone Preparedness Programme, and Thailand has efficient last-mile tsunami warnings, these practices are not systematically adopted across the region.
5. Environmental and Climate Challenges: Environmental degradation, such as mangrove loss and coastal erosion, reduces the natural defences of the region, making it more vulnerable to disasters.

Conclusion

Despite substantial progress, a comprehensive, multi-state disaster relief authority could strengthen the region’s ability to effectively manage and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters.