The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) are unaware of the number of wheelchairs available at Mumbai airport, despite wheelchairs being an essential service for the handicapped and elderly.
 
Recently, the DGCA fined Air India and Mumbai Airport for not providing a wheelchair to an elderly passenger who had to walk a long distance, ultimately leading to his death. A Right To Information (RTI), request and a subsequent first appeal filed by this reporter with the DGCA revealed that both authorities lack this crucial information. “DGCA issues a fine for not arranging a wheelchair but the authority is unaware of the number of wheelchairs at the airport. This is very shameful,” said an industry source.

Permission to carry own wheelchair would ease burden on airport staff, say experts. Representation Pic