Wheelchair Assistance at Indian Railway Stations: Booking, Battery Cars, Ramps and What to Expect

The most difficult part of travelling with an aging parent isn't the actual travel. It's getting through a train station. Walking through congested terminals, using the overhead crosswalks and then trying to make it onto the train as hordes of other passengers fight to board ahead of you. This is where the true stress of travel begins for most families.

The biggest misconception families have is thinking that their elderly parent will be able to 'handle' the challenges presented by the station, or that parents will only get wheelchair assistance if they have become so disabled that they can no longer walk.

When considering travel by train do not underestimate how far your parent is accustomed to walking at home; do not plan to arrive at the station and expect to leave your parent without them being fatigued, shaky, unsteady or at a higher risk of falling when they attempt to traverse the station.

Consider the following questions:

• Do they find distances uncomfortable?
• Do steps and crossings make them feel short of breath or give them pain?
• Do they have mobility issues such as arthritis, Parkinson's, or are they recovering from surgery?
• Do you anticipate that the need to manage luggage will make this journey harder?

If you answered any of these questions with a yes, it is reasonable to assume that assistance would likely be necessary.

Accessibility does not remove independence from your parent; it removes the barriers so that your parent can have a pleasurable experience instead of a monotonous journey.

Without assistance, your parent may experience stress and fatigue at the train station, increased risk of tripping and falling in crowded places, become hesitant to travel in the future, and even miss family gatherings without assistance.

With the service you arrange in advance, your parent will be able to navigate the station with ease. Additionally, the travel experience will be less stressful and smoother.

This article explains how to book wheelchair assistance at Indian railway stations, the locations of battery-operated cars and ramps, the support you will receive on travel day, and additional suggestions to ease the journey for yourself and your parent.

Why Wheelchair Assistance Matters More Than You Think

Railway stations in India were not designed with ageing bodies in mind.

Indian railway stations have platforms with long hallways, entrances far from boarding points, foot over bridges connected by stairs that pass over platforms. For a senior adult who has joint pain, breathlessness, low stamina, or balance issues, this distance can cause lots of physical strain on the body even if they walk fine indoors.

Wheelchair assistance is available to those who don't use a wheelchair on a regular basis. If a person gets tired easily, is unsteady using stairs, or needs help with luggage while having to remain standing for extended periods, they can use wheelchair assistance. Booking it in advance is one way to reduce stress for the trip, for your parent and for you.

People often think that they have to be a full-time wheelchair user to book wheelchair assistance. This is not true. Anyone who feels tired easily or unsteady on steps or needs help with lifting bags is entitled to wheelchair assistance. Booking in advance removes a lot of stress from the trip and it will make the journey more enjoyable for your parent and for you.

How to Book Wheelchair Assistance at Indian Railway Stations

Through IRCTC, Indian railways provides a complimentary e-wheelchair service for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those with health conditions who need wheelchair assistance while travelling.

Wheelchair reservations can be easily done by logging into your IRCTC account on the website or app. Click on "More" option, followed by Services at Stations, then select "E-wheelchair". Enter the PNR number, station, select the desired time, and confirm. They will send you an SMS confirmation along with a voucher. PNR holder and the person booking the voucher don't have to be the same person. Anyone can book this on behalf of the passenger as well.

Instead of the app or website, you can also make reservations by calling the Railway Helpline at 139. Press 2 for inquiries and select the option for wheelchair reservations.

Long in advance reservations are better to ensure your travel plans. Booking time restrictions differ for each station. Booking time restrictions can be up to 72 hours in advance for some stations or as little as 2 hours prior to your travel time. This is especially true during the festival season and peak travel months when there is limited availability and quickly booking throughout the season.

Please remember to bring a government issued photo ID (Adhaar, Voter ID, Passport), a cash deposit of ₹500 (only some stations offer wheelchair rentals and require cash), and the booking voucher to collect the wheelchair on the day of travel. Do arrive well in advance to collect your wheelchair as the staff members cannot wait beyond the allotted time for you to collect it.

To modify your travel plans, please visit the IRCTC tourism portal. Under 'My Account', click on 'Wheelchair Booked'. Your OTP will arrive shortly, and by entering it, you will successfully not incur a cancellation charge.

Battery Car and Buggy Services at Major Stations

They operate battery buggies at Delhi, Mumbai CST, Howrah, Bengaluru City, Jaipur, Lucknow, Pune, Agra Cantt, Kanpur Central, Nagpur, and Secunderabad, along with 34 other important railway stations. The cost of this service is ₹40 to ₹50.

It is important to note that buggies and e-wheelchairs are not the same. Buggies are fast, shared vehicles, meaning that your parent will not ride in the vehicle with her; She'll have to walk to the buggy's destination, which may be a long distance if she tires relatively easily. E-wheelchairs, on the other hand, allow only one person to use the wheelchair, so the railway staff will be in charge of taking her to her coach.

If both services are available, it's up to you to determine the best option, depending on how much assistance your parent will require. A parent who suffers from any stage of mobility impairment will usually be able to make use of a buggy to get to the platform. Conversely, a dedicated wheelchair is usually the best choice for someone who is recovering from a fracture or surgery.

Ramps, Foot Overbridges and Station Accessibility

Under the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign), Indian Railways has added new ramps to assist stations and stops, as well as add escalators and elevators at several new stations to reduce the need for patrons to rely on stairs. However, the availability of these features is still inconsistent. Most older stations lack elevators, which forces patrons to use stairs to switch to different platforms.

Check prior to your trip if the stations you will be departing from and arriving to have accessible options like ramps or lifts that connect to the platform. Also check if the platform is located near the entrance. If this information is not available online, you may contact the railway enquiry desks or the 139 helpline. Knowing this information ahead of time will help you decide how best to assist your parent, whether that be with a wheelchair, a buggy, or a little more time walking.

What to Expect on the Day of Travel

When preparing your journey to the station, please consider the time required to allocate for collecting the wheelchair and ID verification, as well as the deposit. Please go to the collection point, which is normally by the main entrance or the information desk, and present your voucher to the railway staff.

The railway staff will help with pushing your parent from the collection point to the door of the coach. While boarding the train, you will need to assist your parent, as coverage ends at the train door. For the journey back, remember to book the same service at the target station to prevent your parent from being left behind.

You should pack as lightly as possible so that one person can manage the luggage easily. It is advisable to keep food, drink, and regular medicine close at hand.

Preparing Your Parent Beyond the Station

For most parents, long journeys can be difficult, especially for those who manage blood pressure or heart conditions. A long trip means changes to their routine, which can be stressful, as the parents will have to sit for hours without monitoring their blood pressure or heart rate.

For parents who may have high blood pressure or who may be prone to dizziness, checking blood pressure with a wrist BP monitor from AGEasy before departure and after a long journey can identify concerning spikes and drops. BP monitors take up little space in travel bags and provide quick readings, so travelers can feel more at ease during trips.

AGEasy offers lightweight collapsible walking sticks that can support independently walking parents who may feel unsteady or wobbly when traversing unbalanced surfaces like those found on train boardings and steps. If your parent has fallen or has had an incident where they nearly fell within the past year, consider packing fall prevention items in addition to the walking stick.

If your parents have a chronic illness, a visit to the physician prior to the journey is advisable to avoid any complications. In case the journey involves taking the illness control medications at different intervals, it's better to consult the physician for the precautionary measures.

A Simple Checklist Before You Travel

Once you have your ticket, make sure to contact IRCTC or call 139 to arrange your wheelchair assistance. When you get to the station, depending on what is available, there are ramps, lifts, and battery buggies to assist you, so plan your journey accordingly. Keep your identification, voucher, and cash for the deposit handy. Arrange for assistance at the station for both departure and arrival. Make sure to have BP monitors, mobility devices, and necessary medication.

With good organization, what is usually a difficult journey across a station can become a smooth experience. This will allow your parent to enjoy their visit rather than suffer from the stress of the journey.