An 82-year-old senior citizen is undergoing treatment in the ICU due to an accident at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport after Air India allegedly failed to provide her with a pre-booked wheelchair. The victim is being treated for potential brain bleeds after she fell at the airport while walking. Her family has lodged a complaint with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The incident that happened on March 4, Tuesday, came to light after Parul Kanwar, the granddaughter of the victim Parischa Raj, narrated the ordeal on X. The family's request for a wheelchair was confirmed by Air India beforehand but when they reached IGI to board their flight to Bengaluru, they were not provided with one, she alleged.
Since they knew it was going to be tough for her to manage without a wheelchair, they spent almost an hour requesting one. They went from pillar to post but nobody including the airport help desk, Air India or staff of other airlines offered to help, Kanwar said.
"With no other option, this old lady slowly made her way across 3 parking lanes at T3 New Delhi, on foot with assistance from a family member. She managed to enter the airport on foot, still no wheelchair or assistance was provided. Ultimately, her legs gave way, and she fell - she fell in front of the Air India premium economy counter. Not one person stepped in to help," the post read.
The senior citizen received no proper medical aid at the airport and was forced to board the aeroplane with a bleeding lip and injuries to her head and nose. “On flight crew did help with ice packs and called ahead to Bangalore airport for medical aid, where she was seen by a doctor and given 2 stitches. Today, I sit here typing this from the ICU. She has been here 2 days under observation for potential brain bleeds,” the post further added.
The X post tagging the civil aviation minister and Tata Companies amongst others also had the photos of the woman before and after the accident attached.
Air India responds
Air India replied to the post vouching to reach out to the family. Dear Ms. Kanwar, we are concerned to note this and wish Ms. Pasricha a speedy recovery. We’d like to connect with you over a call in this regard and request you share your contact number and a convenient time via DM.
Full transcript of the X post:
I post this because I have no choice, and because it infuriates me that there is such little value for human life and wellbeing.
@airindia
, you treated my grandmother so poorly, and with such little regard. You should be ashamed.
For our travel back from Delhi to Bangalore on 4th March 2025, we booked a wheelchair for my 82 year old grandmother (widow of a decorated Lt General, who has fought for India in several wars) well in advance - confirmed by the airline. Upon reaching the airport, she was not allocated one. We tried for almost an hour, requesting airline staff, airport help desk, alternate airline staff from
@indigo
(who incidentally had a free wheelchair but won’t share). With no other option, this old lady slowly made her way across 3 parking lanes at T3 New Delhi, on foot with assistance from a family member. She managed to enter the airport on foot, still no wheelchair or assistance was provided. Ultimately, her legs gave way, and she fell - she fell in front of the Air India premium economy counter. Not one person stepped in to help. We requested someone to help get first aid - no help. Expectation from Air India staff was for the family member to go to the MI room and get medical aid. Finally, the wheelchair arrived, and she was promptly boarded without a proper checkup with a bleeding lip and injury to her head and nose. On flight crew did help with ice packs and called ahead to Bangalore airport for medical aid, where she was seen by a doctor and given 2 stitches.
Today, I sit here typing this from the ICU. She has been here 2 days under observation for potential brain bleeds. My mother and father watch as doctors pump her with medication, and her left side loses strength. From where we stand, it’s a long road ahead of pain and recovery which she did not deserve.
We have lodged complaints at DGCA, and with Air India and await action.
Attaching pictures of my grandmother, at her grandsons wedding on 3rd March, followed by her condition on 4th and 5th March.
