Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Calls For Rs 5,000 Fee For Wheelchair Misuse At Airports

A debate has ignited over the alleged misuse of airport wheelchair services, particularly on US-India routes, where some claim a high percentage of passengers use wheelchairs for priority boarding despite being physically able. Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw proposed implementing a fee of Rs 5,000 per airport to deter misuse and ensure genuine passengers receive the assistance they need. The suggestion followed a viral video on X showing a long queue of passengers in wheelchairs being assisted by airline staff. The original poster claimed that up to 80% of wheelchair users on US-India routes may be seeking priority boarding and end-to-end service without legitimate mobility issues.

Shaw's proposal has sparked mixed reactions. Some users support the fee, arguing it would discourage the 'if it's free then why not' mentality and filter out those who don't genuinely require assistance. Others contend that a fee would unfairly burden elderly travelers or individuals with disabilities who rely on wheelchair services for navigation and support, especially in large international airports where language barriers may exist. Concerns were also raised about the potential for the fee to disproportionately impact middle-class families and elderly individuals who may have genuine mobility issues but limited financial resources.

Critics of the fee suggest alternative solutions, such as prioritizing boarding based on genuine need or improving airport navigation systems to better assist elderly or non-English speaking passengers. Some social media users pointed out that family members often arrange wheelchair assistance for their parents to ease the stress of airport transfers, regardless of their actual mobility. Airlines typically advise passengers to pre-book wheelchair assistance when purchasing tickets to ensure availability, but the current system may lack sufficient mechanisms to verify the legitimacy of each request. The debate highlights the need for a balanced approach that addresses potential misuse while ensuring accessibility for those who genuinely require wheelchair assistance at airports.