A staff member, who is 100% physically disabled, sitting in his wheelchair on one of the floors of Old Delhi Railway Station, shared his experience, saying that he refrains from drinking water before coming to work and does not carry a water bottle because there are no accessible washrooms for him to use. His voice, though steady, conveyed the deep acceptance of the struggles that Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) face at railway stations. He expressed that although there is a need for many facilities, they are not available.

Disability rights activist Dr. Satendra Singh recently tweeted about his experience, revealing that after booking the 'world-class' Vande Bharat train for his medical college reunion to Kanpur, he discovered that New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS), the capital’s main station, has escalators for platforms 10-16 but lacks elevators. On the same day, a woman in her sixties suffered a fall near the escalator at platform 15 of NDLS. Unaware of the availability of wheelchair assistance and unable to find a lift, she chose the escalator, which proved just as hazardous, leaving her injured and shaken. Dr. Manoj, another commuter at NDLS with a fractured foot, found himself in a similar situation. His train was delayed, and he was hoping to use the escalators to navigate the crowded platforms. After spotting an escalator on the foot overbridge connecting platforms 14 and 15, he assumed there would be one at the platform he needed to reach. However, upon discovering there was none, he had no choice but to painfully descend the stairs, clutching the railing for support.

Despite some improvements over the years, such as the availability of wheelchairs at four major stations, many commuters are unaware of these facilities. The lack of proper signage on platforms or at key locations means that passengers often struggle to locate amenities like wheelchairs, golf carts, and helpdesks. NDLS, with 16 platforms, serves thousands of passengers every day, but the uneven distribution of escalators and lifts creates pockets of inaccessibility. For instance, while there are escalators connecting platforms 16 and 9, and elevators and escalators at other points, some platforms remain inaccessible for those relying on mobility aids, offering only stairs. One foot overbridge has only stairs, further exacerbating the situation.

Dr. Manoj emphasized that the issue is not solely about infrastructure, but also about raising awareness and improving communication. Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, with nine platforms that were not designed with modern accessibility in mind, fares no better. While it does have elevators and a single disabled-friendly ramp at its entry gate, passengers with disabilities are otherwise left without sufficient support. Old Delhi Railway Station, which also has around 16 platforms, faces similar challenges. While platforms 1 to 6 are accessible, passengers must cross bridges to reach others. Platform 1 has escalator access, but ramps are still absent elsewhere.

The issues of accessibility extend beyond just escalators and elevators. At many stations, queues at ticket counters designated for PWDs and elderly passengers are often occupied by able-bodied individuals, with little enforcement from staff. Sanitation facilities are another major concern. At NDLS, PWDs must go to the first floor to access a washroom, while at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, several platforms lack washroom facilities altogether. Although accessible washrooms are available near the ticket counters, most platforms lack fully disabled-friendly toilets. While NGOs have established help desks and are raising awareness, issues such as a torn poster at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station highlight the gaps in communication and infrastructure.