We have always appreciated Vande Bharat Express trains for their speed, comfortable seating, and smooth travel experience. Now, these trains come with another thoughtful feature, a portable ramp at the door. A video of a wheelchair user using this ramp has recently gone viral on social media. Scroll down to know about his experience!
Video Shows Use Of Portable Ramp For Wheelchair In Vande Bharat Train
Recently, Poorna Chandran G (@poorna_on_wheels) shared a video showing his experience of using a portable ramp at the door of a Vande Bharat train in Chennai. In the clip, railway staff place the ramp at the train door, allowing him to roll his wheelchair straight inside without any difficulty. For Poorna, this moment was special because, as he shared, “this was the first time I used a ramp to board and deboard independently.”
He also explained that the height difference between the platform and the train usually makes things difficult for wheelchair users. In many cases, railway staff or fellow passengers have to lift the wheelchair into the train. This time, however, the ramp made the process smooth and independent. He also received allocated seating and organised support during the journey.
Poorna described the experience as an example of “dignity in mobility.” He also pointed out that accessibility should not depend on luck or the availability of people to help. Instead, facilities like ramps should be built into the system so that everyone can travel comfortably and independently.
How to use this ramp? If you want to use this ramp, make sure you inform the train staff in advance. This helps the staff arrange the ramp on time and assist with safe boarding and deboarding.
Also Read: Viral Video Shows Vande Bharat Train On Road; Netizens Joke “Vande Bharat But My Budget Is ₹50”
Internet Reacts To The Viral Video
This video showing the amazing side of Vande Bharat trains has gone viral across the internet. Many people have shared their reactions, appreciating the railways for this initiative.
One user wrote, “How inaccessible these trains are says a lot … Great Poorna for speaking out on inclusion in societal systems.”
Another user commented, “Finally, they are considering us as a person from mainstream.”
This reaction shows that many people feel happy to see steps being taken to include persons with disabilities in everyday travel.
However, not everyone was fully satisfied. One user wrote, “These ramps can’t be used for every wheelchair user due to the width of their wheelchair wheels… secondly, the ramp’s gradient angle is too high, making it impossible for a manual wheelchair user to climb themselves… need people to push in.” This opinion points out that while the initiative is appreciated, there is still room for improvement to make the facility useful for all wheelchair users.
What are your thoughts on this? Tell us in the comments below!
Also Read: Vande Bharat From Gujarat Records 32 Lakh Riders In 13 Months; Ahmedabad-Mumbai Trains Lead
Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/@poorna_on_wheels