Lucknow, Feb. 17 -- Passengers reaching Charbagh railway station in Lucknow on Sunday recalled the chaos at New Delhi railway station (NDLS) during the deadly stampede that claimed at least 18 lives. Slamming the poor arrangements, they described a nightmarish ordeal, struggling to reach platforms amid the mayhem.

Eyewitness Dharmendra Singh recounted, "When I reached New Delhi railway station, the crowd was overwhelming. Policemen had closed the gates and informed us about the stampede inside. I saw women and children being carried away on stretchers. The situation was chaotic." "

"After the incident, the police resorted to lathi-charge to control the crowd. Only after about 90% of the crowd had dispersed did the railways run a special...