Shocking Negligence! No Wheelchair Provided, Elderly Woman Injured at Delhi Airport
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A serious case of Air India's negligence has come to light at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. Despite having pre-booked a wheelchair, an elderly woman did not get help at the airport, due to which she fell and got seriously injured. The victim, who is the widow of a retired lieutenant general, is currently admitted in the ICU and doctors suspect bleeding in her brain.
The incident took place on March 4 during a flight from Delhi to Bengaluru. According to the victim's family, they had booked wheelchair service well in advance, but upon reaching the airport, they had to wait for an hour for a wheelchair. Despite repeated requests, there was no help from Air India staff and the airport help desk. Helpless, the elderly woman tried to cross the parking area of Terminal 3 on foot with the help of a relative, but she suddenly collapsed near the Air India premium economy counter.
The victim's granddaughter, Parul Kanwar, has expressed her outrage over the incident on the social media platform 'X' and has made serious allegations against Air India. She said that her grandmother was not even given first aid at the airport after she fell. Parul said, "When the wheelchair finally arrived, my grandmother's lip was bleeding and she had a head injury. Despite this, she was put on the plane without any treatment."
Parul also alleged that no one stepped forward to help her grandmother even after she fell. The family had to try to get medical help on their own. On reaching Bengaluru, the airline staff provided some ice packs and arranged for medical assistance, where the elderly woman was given two stitches on her head.
Parul further said that her grandmother has been admitted to the ICU in a hospital in Bengaluru for two days and is showing signs of weakness in the left side of her body. Doctors suspect bleeding in her brain and are constantly monitoring her.
The victim's family has lodged a formal complaint with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India regarding the incident and is awaiting further action in the matter. Responding to Parul Kanwar's social media post, Air India has expressed regret and assured to investigate the matter. Air India responded from its official 'X' handle and wrote, "Dear Ms. Kanwar, we are saddened to see this and wish Ms. Pasricha a speedy recovery. We would like to connect with you over the phone on this matter and request you to share your contact number and convenient time through DM."
