Battery Operated Buggies: Pre-booking station golf carts for seniors and the disabled.
Indian Railways offers dedicated assistance at major stations for those who need help navigating platforms. This includes Battery Operated Cars (Buggies) and E-Wheelchairs aimed at making travel accessible and comfortable.
Eligibility & Costs
These services are exclusively available for senior citizens, differently-abled individuals (Divyangjan), sick passengers, and pregnant women.
- Battery Operated Buggies: These motorized carts typically cost ₹40 to ₹50 per trip (usually covering up to 3 passengers per cart), depending on the specific railway station.
- E-Wheelchairs:
The wheelchair service itself is completely free of charge.
However, you must provide a ₹500 cash deposit and a valid
government ID card at the collection center. Both are returned to you when
you hand the wheelchair back.
How to Pre-Book
You have a few different options to secure a buggy or wheelchair before your train arrives:
1. Online via IRCTC (For E-Wheelchairs):
- Visit irctctourism.com or irctc.co.in and navigate to the "e-Wheelchair" section under "Other Services".
- Enter your valid PNR number to check availability and book. You will receive a voucher to show at the station.
2. Dedicated Apps: You can download the Rail Sahayak App, which allows you to instantly book 4-wheeler carts (buggies), wheelchairs, and licensed porters (Sahayaks) by entering your train and coach details.
3. Direct Station Helplines: Most major stations have direct mobile numbers for their buggy
services. You can typically call them 30 to 60 minutes before your arrival to
schedule a pickup at your coach. If you cannot pre-book, you can
also request a free wheelchair from the Station Master's or Station Manager's
office on a first-come, first-served basis.
Important Rules to Keep in Mind
Ticket Requirement: You must have a Confirmed, RAC, or Partially Waitlisted ticket to pre-book these services online.
Advance Reservation Period (ARP): The booking window for e-wheelchairs varies by station. For instance, New Delhi and Agra allow bookings up to 4 hours in advance, Mumbai up to 6 hours, and Bangalore up to 72 hours in advance.
Usage Limits: Wheelchairs and buggies are strictly for use on the station platforms and porches; they cannot be taken onto the train.
While
buggy and e-wheelchair services are not available at every single railway
station in India, they are offered at most major junctions and terminal
stations.
Here is the comprehensive list of
direct contact numbers for battery-operated buggies and e-wheelchairs at major
Indian railway stations, organized alphabetically for easy reference:
|
Station Name |
Contact Number(s) |
|
Agra
Cantt (AGC) |
9766155822
/ 8287930917 |
|
Ahmedabad
Jn (ADI) |
8287931890 |
|
Bangalore
Cantt |
9686425934 |
|
Bangalore
City Jn (SBC) |
9900789789
/ 8595931292 |
|
Bhubaneswar
Junction |
9937099911 |
|
Bhusaval
Jn (BSL) |
8287931732 |
|
Chennai
Central |
9940356789
/ 9566222866 |
|
Chennai
Egmore |
9952056789 |
|
Coimbatore
Junction |
9843640900 |
|
Dhanbad |
9771445924 |
|
Howrah
Jn (HWH) |
9002040010 |
|
Indore
Jn (INDB) |
8287931798 |
|
Kanpur
Central Jn (CNB) |
8287930934 |
|
Lucknow
Jn & NE (LKO/LJN) |
8287930909 |
|
Mata
Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) |
8595930958 |
|
Mumbai
Central (MMCT) |
7021092600 |
|
Mumbai
CST (CSMT) |
9152156194
/ 7021092600 |
|
Mysore
City Station |
9900012333 |
|
Nagpur
Jn (NGP) |
7021092600 |
|
New
Delhi (NDLS) |
8287930153 |
|
Pathankot
Cantt (PTKC) |
8595930984 |
|
Secunderabad
Jn (SC) |
8827331111
/ 9701360702 |
|
V
Lakshmibai JHS (Jhansi) |
9140942868 |
|
Vadodara
Junction |
9081512341
/ 9081512342 |
|
Varanasi
Jn (BSB) |
9794844570 |
|
Vijayawada
Jn (BZA) |
8287932277
/ 8662572280 |
|
Yelahanka
Junction |
9686442594 |
|
Yesvantpur
Junction |
9902545012 |
What if your station isn't on this list?
If you are traveling to a station not listed above, you still have a few reliable options:
- Dial 139: This is the standard Indian Railways helpline. Navigate the menu for assistance and inquire if buggy services are available at your specific destination.
- Rail Sahayak App: Download the app, enter your PNR, and check if buggy or wheelchair services are actively supported at your station.
- Differently-Abled
Helpline: You can try the 24x7 specialized
helpline for differently-abled passengers at 044-25354457 for guidance.
There is more to know about station
assistance, particularly if you need help with luggage or are traveling to a
station that doesn't offer online booking.
Here are the additional services, booking
methods, and practical tips you should know:
1. Yatri Mitra Sewa: Full Assistance
If a wheelchair alone isn't enough, Indian Railways offers Yatri Mitra Sewa. This service provides a wheelchair along with a porter (Sahayak) who will push the wheelchair and carry your luggage.
- How it Works: For departures, the Yatri Mitra meets you at the station entrance, handles your bags, and takes you directly to your coach. For arrivals, they wait on the platform near your coach, meet you when you step off, and escort you to the exit.
- Cost: This service is often provided for free through NGOs or corporate sponsors (CSR). If free service isn't available, it is offered on a paid basis, and you will be informed of the cost via SMS when booking.
- Booking: You can book Yatri Mitra Sewa through the IRCTC e-ticketing
website, by dialing or texting 139, or via the Rail Sahayak app.
2. Using the 139 Helpline
Not all stations support online e-wheelchair bookings. If you are traveling to a smaller station or one not listed on the IRCTC portal, the 139 Railway Helpline is your best option.
- Call Ahead: Dial 139 at least a day before your journey to check if buggy or wheelchair assistance is available at your specific station.
- Menu Options:
When you call, navigate the IVR menu (typically by pressing 2 for
inquiries) to reach the wheelchair and buggy reservation options.
3. Cancellations and Modifications
If your travel plans change, Indian Railways makes it easy to adjust your assistance bookings:
- Free Cancellation: There are absolutely no cancellation charges for e-wheelchair bookings.
- How to Cancel:
Log into your IRCTC account, go to "My Account," select
your booked wheelchair under your ticket history, and cancel it. You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number and email
to confirm the cancellation.
4. Practical Tips for the Day of Travel
- Train Delays: If your train is running late, you do not need to rebook or panic. The service provider tracks the live status of the train and will adjust their arrival time to meet you.
- Arrive Early: The collection centers for wheelchairs are sometimes located near the main station entrances, which can be a bit of a walk from the parking lot. Factor in extra time to collect the wheelchair and reach your platform.
- Festivals and Holidays: During peak travel seasons, buggies and wheelchairs are in high demand. Book as far in advance as your station's window allows.
- Verification:
If you use Yatri Mitra Sewa, the attendant will have an ID card
and a message on their phone that matches the SMS confirmation you received.
Always verify this before handing over your luggage.
5. You Don't Have to Be a Full-Time Wheelchair User
Many passengers hesitate to book assistance
because they can walk fine at home. However, Indian railway
stations often feature long hallways, distant platform entrances, and foot-over
bridges connected by stairs. If your parent or companion
experiences joint pain, gets breathless easily, or is unsteady on stairs, they
are completely entitled to use these services.
6. Anyone Can Book on Behalf of the Passenger
The person holding the PNR and the person
booking the voucher do not have to be the same. You can easily book an e-wheelchair or a buggy from your own phone
or IRCTC account for a family member who is traveling, as long as you have
their PNR number.
7. Safety in Crowded Stations
If you are worried about a motorized cart
navigating through the chaos of a busy Indian railway platform, rest assured
that these platform cars are operated by specially trained drivers who are
experienced in safely maneuvering through dense crowds.
To give you a quick final checklist for your trip, just remember these four steps:
- Keep your PNR handy: You will need a confirmed or RAC/Waitlisted ticket to book.
- Book in advance: Use the Rail Sahayak App, the IRCTC portal, dial 139, or call the station's direct buggy number.
- Bring small cash & ID: Have ₹40–₹50 ready for the buggy fee, or a ₹500 refundable cash deposit and a physical government ID if you are renting an e-wheelchair.
- Arrive early:
Give yourself an extra 30 to 45 minutes before departure to collect the
wheelchair or meet the buggy operator without feeling rushed.
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