It is believed that the Indian Railways is the world’s largest railway system for passengers, with more than 23 million passengers using the railways each day. From steam engines in the British Raj to today’s superfast express trains, the Indian rail system has been in operation for nearly two centuries. With its extensive network of more than 7700 rail stations as well as 13169 passenger train services daily, Indian Railways soon realised the necessity of making it easier for older people and those who are physically challenged.
The pressing need of Indian Railways to be More Accessible
The Ministry of Railways initiated the “Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan” (Accessible India Campaign) in 2015 to address this urgent issue. The welfare program was designed to offer convenient transport to “Divyangjans” (people who have disabilities) throughout the entire rail network. One of the main options was to provide 7,700 wheelchairs across 5,400 stations to aid people who need wheelchairs for movement.
How do I book an e-wheelchair on IRCTC?
You can effortlessly reserve a wheelchair today using IRCTC’s e-wheelchair system when you book train tickets through IRCTC. Log in with your login credentials to IRCTC’s official website. Visit the IRCTC official website and then enter the details of your number of digits to confirm the availability of the wheelchair. After confirming that you are available, follow these easy steps to make your booking:
- Go to www.irctc.co.in and then under “Service at Stations select “E-Wheelchair”
- Click on ‘e-Wheelchair,’ then enter the PNR code to check the PNR status and confirm the availability of a wheelchair.
- Search’ and fill in the information.
- Click on “Book” to fill in the details for booking.
- Click on Print Voucher to obtain the soft copy needed for the wheelchair issue.
What stations are available to book e-wheelchairs through IRCTC?
It is important to note that the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) is different for each station. It varies from a maximum of 72 hours in Bangalore up to the 24-hour limit in Howrah to a minimum of 4 hours in selected stations, which include New Delhi, Lucknow, and Jaipur. Below is a list of stations where e-wheelchairs are offered, along with their ARPs:
ARP of 4 hours:
Stations like Agra Cantonment Railway Station (AGC), Jhansi Junction (JHS), Kanpur Central Junction (CNB), Lucknow Junction (LKO), Lucknow NE (LJN), Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK), Pathankot Cantonment (PTKC), Jaipur Junction (JP), New Delhi (NDLS), along with Varanasi Junction (BSB) have an ARP of 4 hours.
ARP of 6 hours:
Stations such as Ahmedabad Junction (ADI), Bhusaval Junction (BSL), Indore Junction (INDB), Mumbai Central (MMCT), Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSMT), Nagpur Junction (NGP), Pune Junction (PUNE), as well as Vadodara Junction (BRC) have an ARP of six hours.
ARP of 24 hours:
Stations like Howrah Junction (HWH), Vijayawada Junction (BZA), and Secunderabad Junction (SC) have an ARP of 24 hours.
ARP of 72 hours:
Bangalore City Junction (SBC) has the highest average ARP of 72 hours.
Basic Guidelines to Book an E-wheelchair on IRCTC
Be sure to check the details of your voucher for details on how to use it and for contact details. These are the guidelines and terms:
Wheelchair Collection and Return
You must pick up and then return your wheelchair(s) from the designated Collection Centres located at the train station.
Requirements
To use this wheelchair-friendly service, you’ll have to:
- Pay Rs. 500 as a charge, which is refundable.
- Present a valid government-approved identity card.
Terms of Return
The amount you have deposited and your identification card will be reimbursed upon the return of the chair.
Aid
Refer to your voucher’s details to find contact information for all assistance related to e-wheelchairs.
General Terms and Conditions
Please note:
- Wheelchairs are available for free according to availability.
- Service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
- A booking voucher is required.
What is the procedure to cancel a booked e-wheelchair through IRCTC?
If you have to change the date of your wheelchair reservation due to unforeseen circumstances, follow these easy steps:
- Go to www.irctctourism.com and log in via “Guest User Login.”
- Enter your email address and the mobile number that you used to make the booking.
- Click ‘My Account’ > ‘Wheelchair Booked’
- Choose the ticket you wish to cancel from the ‘List of Booking.’
- Click ‘Cancel’ Wheelchair’
- You will receive an OTP by using your email ID and your mobile number.
- In the OTP, select the wheelchairs to cancel, then confirm
- View cancellation status details
Conclusion
Public bodies have been pushing for the need for universal public transportation for a long time. Indian Railways has made significant improvements in accessibility since the introduction of e-wheelchairs, which have improved the comfort of disabled and elderly passengers.
FAQs
1. What are the prices for electric wheelchairs?
IRCTC provides wheelchairs for free at selected railway stations, subject to availability on a first-come, first-served basis. This is only available with a valid booking voucher. A deposit of Rs. 500 that is refundable, along with a valid government-issued ID, is required.
2. Who can take advantage of electric wheelchairs?
Any passenger having a valid confirmed/RAC/Partial WL reservation ticket may book the wheelchair through the website.
3. Are there any cancellation costs for electric wheelchairs?
It’s not true; IRCTC does not levy any cancellation fees for electric wheelchairs.
4. Can wheelchairs be reserved following the purchase of tickets?
Ans. For prompt assistance, you can request wheelchair assistance at the time of reservation, ticketing, or booking confirmation. Booking wheelchairs in advance will help you prevent last-minute delays and absences.
