Booking Wheelchair Accessible Seats on Indian Railways

Indian Railways has been improving accessibility for passengers with disabilities over the past few years. If you or someone you're booking for uses a wheelchair, there are specific provisions — dedicated berths, accessible coaches, and station facilities. Here's what you need to know.

Accessible Berths on Trains

Indian Railways provides specially designed berths in select coaches for passengers with locomotor disabilities. These berths are typically lower berths near the entrance of the coach for easier access.

On newer LHB coaches and Vande Bharat trains, one specific bay is designed with wider space to accommodate a wheelchair user. These berths have:

• Lower berth position with extra floor clearance
• Wider aisle access nearby
• Proximity to the accessible toilet

How to Book Accessible Berths

On IRCTC Website

1. Log in and search for trains normally
2. During passenger entry, select berth preference as "Lower Berth"
3. If you have a Divyangjan (disability) concession certificate, enter the concession details
4. The system prioritizes lower berths for passengers with disabilities

There isn't a separate "wheelchair berth" booking option in the standard IRCTC flow. The allocation is handled through:

• Divyangjan concession quota
• Lower berth priority based on disability documentation

At Railway Counter

This is often more effective for wheelchair accessibility:

1. Visit the reservation counter with disability certificate


2. Request wheelchair-accessible coach and lower berth


3. The booking clerk can manually search for coaches with accessible bays


4. Mention your specific needs — wheelchair space, accessible toilet, proximity to entrance

Through Station Manager

For additional assistance:

1. Call the station manager's office 24-48 hours before travel


2. Inform them about wheelchair assistance needed at departure and arrival stations


3. They arrange porters, wheelchairs, and ramp access

Divyangjan Concession

Passengers with certified disabilities are eligible for fare concessions:

Disability Type	Concession (SL/2S)	Concession (AC classes)
Blindness	75%	50%
Orthopaedically handicapped	75%	50%
Deaf and mute	75%	50%
Mentally challenged	75%	50%

An escort/companion traveling with the Divyangjan person also gets the same concession on their ticket. Documents required: Disability certificate issued by a government hospital or authorized medical board.

Station Accessibility Features

Major stations have been upgrading accessibility:

Wheelchair availability: Most major stations (A1 and A category) have wheelchairs available at the entrance. Request at the help desk or call 139. Ramps: Being added at entrances and platforms. Not all stations have them yet — check beforehand. Lifts/Elevators: Available at stations like New Delhi, Mumbai CST, Bangalore City, Chennai Central, and many recently renovated stations. Older stations may only have stairs and foot overbridges. Accessible toilets: Available at major stations. Look for the international wheelchair symbol. Tactile paths: Some newer stations have tactile paving for visually impaired passengers.

Booking Process for Escort/Companion

When booking for a passenger with disability plus an escort:

1. Book both passengers in the same PNR
2. Enter the disability concession details for the primary passenger
3. Mark the second passenger as "Escort" — they get the same concession percentage
4. Both are typically allotted adjacent berths

Pre-Travel Preparation

24 hours before travel:

• Confirm your PNR and berth allocation
• Call the departure station (or dial 139) to request wheelchair assistance on the platform
• Confirm the coach position on the platform so you can reach the correct spot directly

At the station:

• Use the main entrance with ramp access (if available)
• Ask for porter assistance at the help desk
• Reach the platform at least 30 minutes before departure
• The coach attendant (in AC classes) should be informed about wheelchair assistance needed for boarding

On the train:

• Inform the TTE about your needs
• Request help from coach attendant for moving to/from the toilet
• Keep essential items within easy reach from your lower berth

Vande Bharat and Modern Trains

Vande Bharat Express trains have better accessibility features:

• Wider doors for wheelchair access


• Designated wheelchair space in specific coaches


• Accessible toilets with grab bars and wider doors


• Better signage and announcements

If you have multiple train options on a route, Vande Bharat is generally the most accessible choice.

Filing for Assistance Through Railway 139

Dial 139 and select the assistance option. You can:

• Request wheelchair at departure and arrival stations


• Ask for porter assistance


• Inform about special needs


• Get information about accessible facilities at specific stations

Doing this 24-48 hours in advance ensures the station is prepared for your arrival.

Reality Check

I'll be honest — accessibility on Indian Railways has improved significantly but isn't perfect. Older stations, smaller stations, and non-metro routes may lack ramps, lifts, and wheelchair facilities. The gap between policy and ground reality exists.

For the smoothest experience:

• Stick to major stations and popular trains


• Pre-arrange everything through 139 or station manager


• Travel with a companion who can help with logistics


• Choose AC classes (better coach quality and attendant support)

Check your train and station details on indianrail.app before travel. Knowing your coach position, platform number, and station layout in advance reduces uncertainty significantly.

Indian Railways is committed to improving accessibility, and each year brings meaningful improvements. Don't let accessibility concerns stop you from experiencing India by train — just plan ahead.