The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Railway authorities to report whether battery car services for passengers with disabilities and other mobility needs are provided free of charge or on a paid basis across all railway divisions.
The direction was issued while hearing a public interest petition concerning battery-operated vehicle services at railway stations under the Madurai and Tiruchirappalli railway divisions. A report has been sought from the Railway Department’s Principal Secretary and the General Manager of Southern Railway by November 10.
The petition was filed by Sundara Vimalnathan of Swamimalai in Thanjavur district. It stated that battery car services are intended to assist passengers with disabilities, senior citizens and those who are unwell at railway stations. The petition also referred to a Railway Board circular stating that complaints relating to the service could be made through helpline 139 or the Rail Madad website.
According to the petition, the Madurai and Tiruchirappalli divisions together have 252 railway stations. Battery car facilities are available at only 11 of them, while 241 stations do not have the service. The petition said the facility is provided free of charge at Madurai railway station, whereas a charge of Rs 30 is collected per trip at Tiruchirappalli railway station.
The petitioner argued that the difference in access and pricing reflects unequal treatment of passengers. The petition sought directions to the Union Railway Ministry to provide free battery-operated vehicle services at railway stations under the two divisions for passengers with disabilities, senior citizens and pregnant women.
The submission also relied on the legal obligation of institutions, including the Railways, to ensure that transportation facilities for persons with disabilities are provided without discrimination. The case therefore concerns not only the availability of a station-level service but also how a publicly operated transport network implements accessibility across locations.
The matter was heard by Justices P. Velmurugan and K.K. Ramaswamy. Advocate Saha appeared for the petitioner. The bench directed the Railway authorities to clarify whether battery car services are provided free of charge or against payment in all railway divisions.
The report from the Railway Department’s Principal Secretary and the General Manager of Southern Railway is scheduled to be filed on November 10. The court’s direction does not, at this stage, establish a final policy on charges or require an immediate expansion of the service across all stations.
