Pavagadh stampede report tabled

The report of the commission of the inquiry into incident of stampede at the Pavagadh Temple on October 14, 2007, was tabled in the state assembly on Tuesday. Eleven people had died in the stampede. The commission, headed by justice SM Soni, former judge of Gujarat high court collected evidence, statements of eye witnesses, affidavits filed by the various people in public and government officers, into consideration while preparing the report.

The commission has recommended many immediate and long-term measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents such incidents in future. Short term measures includes, timings of darshan in temple should be open 24 hours, except for certain necessary rituals. The timings should also be advertised at all the places like hotels, bus stops, and on the way to temple etc. where pilgrims are likely to halt/stay. Services of police, NSS & NCC cadets and social workers should be availed for every 200 to 300 meters, to guide and take care of the pilgrims. Placards should be displayed on every narrow path, steep curve and crowding areas. 

Soni commission has also recommended some strict long-term measures, which includes removal of encroachments beginning with Machi till the temple premises. At Dudhia Talav, some commercial complex, which may provide bare necessity to pilgrims, should be constructed. All the steps should be widened. The police or the volunteers should be trained properly to assess the crowd pressure and they should be
deployed during festival days.