Nearly a month after the tragic stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar, families of the victims and the injured are still waiting for compensation promised by the Mansa Devi Temple Trust. The delay has sparked growing frustration among locals, even as the Uttarakhand government has already released its share of relief funds.
Government vs. Trust Relief The state government provided ₹2 lakh ex-gratia to the families of the deceased and financial aid to those injured soon after the incident. In contrast, the temple trust’s pledged support of ₹5 lakh for each deceased victim and ₹1 lakh for the injured remains unpaid. Families of victims including Sanjeev Kumar, Ghanshyam, and Vipin Saini say they have received nothing beyond the government’s relief.
Families in Distress Relatives of the deceased have voiced their disappointment, stating that the trust had publicly announced the compensation but has yet to release any funds. Many families are struggling to cope with both emotional trauma and financial hardship following the tragedy.
Administrative Response Officials said they are in dialogue with the temple trust to ensure that the compensation is distributed without further delay. Sources indicated that procedural hurdles within the trust’s management may be responsible for the hold-up, but assured that the matter is being taken seriously.
The Incident The stampede, which occurred during peak pilgrimage season, left several dead and dozens injured, casting a shadow over Haridwar’s temple management and crowd-control systems. The tragedy also prompted calls for stricter safety measures at major shrines in Uttarakhand.
