Wheelchair Services at Railway Stations: How to Get One
Indian Railways provides wheelchairs at stations for elderly passengers, Divyangjan and anyone unwell or unable to walk the distance to the platform. This guide explains how to arrange one at any station, how the online e-wheelchair booking works at selected stations, what it costs, and the other assistance available.
The short answer: Most railway stations keep wheelchairs and provide them free of charge. Ask at the enquiry counter or the Station Master’s office on arrival, or call 139 in advance. A porter usually escorts the wheelchair, and their assistance is charged separately. Online booking exists only at a limited number of stations.
Option 1: Ask at the Station
This works at most stations and needs no advance booking.
- Go to the enquiry counter or the Station Master’s office.
- Ask for a wheelchair, explaining who needs it and which train you are travelling by.
- A porter escorts the wheelchair and helps the passenger to the platform and coach.
- The wheelchair itself is free. Pay the porter for their assistance.
Availability depends on the station and the time of day, so arrive with time in hand rather than counting on one being free at the last minute. At a small station, ring 139 a day ahead to check.
Option 2: Book an E-Wheelchair Online
Selected stations allow you to reserve a wheelchair in advance through the IRCTC website. This is worth doing at a large, busy station where demand is high.
Who Can Book
- Any passenger holding a valid confirmed, RAC or partially waitlisted reserved ticket.
- One booking per PNR is allowed.
What It Costs
- The wheelchair is free of charge, subject to availability, on a first come first served basis against the booking voucher.
- A refundable deposit is taken in cash at the collection centre, along with a valid government photo ID. Both are returned when you hand the wheelchair back.
- No cancellation charge applies if you cancel the booking.
Note: The deposit amount and the exact booking steps can change, and the IRCTC interface is updated from time to time. Confirm the current deposit and process on the IRCTC site when you book, and carry the ID you will need to leave at the collection centre.
How to Book
- Go to irctc.co.in and open the More menu.
- Select E-Wheelchair under the At Stations section.
- Enter your PNR number and search.
- Fill in the required details and confirm the booking.
- Print or save the voucher, which you present at the collection centre.
If the facility is not available at your station, the system tells you when you enter the PNR.
How to Cancel
- Log in through the guest user option on the IRCTC tourism site, using the same email and mobile number you booked with.
- Open My Account, then the wheelchair section under booked history.
- Select the booking to cancel and confirm with the OTP sent to your registered email and mobile.
Stations With Online E-Wheelchair Booking
Online booking is available at the stations below. The advance booking window differs by station, and the wheelchair is collected from and returned to the collection point shown.
| Station | Code | Book up to (hrs before) | Collection point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agra Cantt | AGC | 4 | Tourist Facilitation Centre |
| Ahmedabad Jn | ADI | 6 | TFC, concourse hall |
| Bangalore City Jn | SBC | 72 | Tourist Facilitation Centre |
| Bhusaval Jn | BSL | 6 | Cell Kitchen, Platform 3 |
| Howrah Jn | HWH | 24 | Platform 10, TFC |
| Indore Jn | INDB | 6 | TFC, Platform 1 |
| Jaipur Jn | JP | 4 | Jan Ahar |
| Jhansi Jn | JHS | 4 | Dy SS (Commercial) office, Platform 1 |
| Kanpur Central | CNB | 4 | Refreshment Room |
| Lucknow Jn | LKO | 4 | Refreshment Room |
| Lucknow NE | LJN | 4 | Refreshment Room |
| Mata Vaishno Devi Katra | SVDK | 4 | IRCTC Guest House |
| Mumbai Central | MMCT | 6 | TFC, concourse hall |
| Mumbai CSMT | CSMT | 6 | TFC, between Platforms 7 and 8 |
| Nagpur Jn | NGP | 6 | Food Plaza, Platform 1 |
| New Delhi | NDLS | 4 | TFC, Platform 16 |
| Pathankot Cantt | PTKC | 4 | Jan Ahar |
| Pune Jn | PUNE | 6 | IRCTC Food Plaza, Platform 1 |
| Secunderabad Jn | SC | 24 | Tourist Facilitation Centre |
| Vadodara Jn | BRC | 6 | Food Plaza, Platform 1 |
| Varanasi Jn | BSB | 4 | Dy SS (Commercial) office, Platform 5 |
| Vijayawada Jn | BZA | 24 | Tourist Facilitation Centre |
Two station-specific limits: at Ahmedabad, e-wheelchair service covers trains departing between 08:00 and 20:00 hrs. At Pune, it covers selected slots for trains arriving or departing between 09:00 and 18:00 hrs.
For current contact details at any of these stations, call 139 or ask at the station enquiry counter, since staff and numbers change.
Other Assistance Available
| Yatri Mitra Sewa | Wheelchair with porter assistance, bookable in advance at major stations. See our Yatri Mitra Sewa guide. |
| Battery operated cars | Buggy services carry elderly and disabled passengers between the entrance and platform at many large stations. See our buggy services guide. |
| Wheelchair lifts | Battery operated lifting platforms that raise a wheelchair to coach floor level have been introduced at some stations, making boarding far easier. |
| Lower berth quota | Berths are earmarked for senior citizens and those who need them. See our lower berth quota guide. |
| Helpline 139 | For assistance requests, station enquiries and help during the journey. |
Planning Tips
- Arrange it in advance where you can, especially at a busy junction or during a festival rush.
- Reach the station early, since collecting a wheelchair and getting to the platform takes time.
- Carry the ID you will leave at the collection centre, plus the deposit in cash.
- Note the coach position in advance, so the porter knows where to take you.
- Ask about the return leg too, since a wheelchair at your destination needs arranging separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wheelchairs free at railway stations?
Yes. The wheelchair itself is provided free of charge, subject to availability. A porter’s assistance is charged separately, and online bookings require a refundable cash deposit.
How do I get a wheelchair at a station without online booking?
Ask at the enquiry counter or Station Master’s office on arrival, or call 139 in advance. Most stations keep wheelchairs even if they are not on the online list.
Who can book an e-wheelchair online?
Any passenger with a valid confirmed, RAC or partially waitlisted reserved ticket, one booking per PNR.
How far in advance can I book?
It varies by station, from 4 hours to 72 hours before the train. Bangalore City allows the longest window.
Is there a cancellation charge?
No. E-wheelchair bookings can be cancelled online without any charge.
Can I book a wheelchair for a station not on the list?
Not online, but you can still get one. Ask station staff on arrival or call 139 ahead of your journey.
Quick Summary
| Cost | Wheelchair free, porter charged separately |
| At most stations | Ask at enquiry or Station Master’s office, or call 139 |
| Online booking | Available at 22 stations through IRCTC |
| Eligibility | Confirmed, RAC or partial waitlist ticket, one per PNR |
| Advance window | 4 to 72 hours, by station |
| Deposit | Refundable cash deposit plus photo ID at collection |
| Cancellation | Free |
Getting a wheelchair at an Indian railway station is easier than many people expect, and it costs nothing beyond the porter’s help. Arrange it ahead of time at a busy station, arrive early, and keep 139 handy. For more, see our guides on senior citizen facilities, buggy services, and medical facilities on trains.
Have you used a wheelchair service at a station? Tell us which station and how it went, since it helps other travelers plan.