Mohammad Faizal Nawaz, a 30-year-old engineer with the Indian
Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, says the choice between travelling
by Air India and Indian Railways is like choosing between the devil and
the deep sea. Hailing from Delhi, he has been taking trains to travel
between Bangalore and Delhi since May after a traumatic experience with
the Air India in April.
Two days prior to travel on April 12, Nawaz was made to cancel
his tickets from Bangalore to Delhi and re-book it for April 19 as he
was 'late' in informing authorities about his condition. Nawaz suffers
from severe respiratory compromise, and has a life-long disability.
Despite mailing his certificates to AI, he was asked to personally
submit the certificates at their Bangalore and Delhi offices or risk
another cancellation. A disability rights activist, he has suffered from
kypho scoliosis (abnormal curvature of spine) and polio since
childhood. A spinal surgery in 2012 forced him to use BiPap (portable
ventilator) and oxygen support.
"I emailed my ticket details and medical certificates to AI
reservation managers at Delhi and Bangalore," he says. "I was advised to
cancel the tickets and submit a form along with certificates from my
physician and AI physician," says Nawaz. He cancelled tickets, filled
the medical assistance form, got it certified from his physician at
Bangalore, and booked a return ticket from Delhi to Bangalore for May 9.
A few days before the departure, he was asked to personally get his
documents certified from the medical section of AI as the email copies
were of low resolution.
He filled a new MEDA form and sent certified copies to AI's Delhi
office two weeks before his return journey. "I got a call from AI
saying my certificates were two weeks old and as my medical condition
could have changed since then, I had to get myself physically examined
again and submit new certificates, else I would have to cancel my
tickets."
An AI official in Delhi said, "In case of respiratory conditions, the
airline has to ensure the aircraft has enough oxygen cylinders. There is
no specific time limit before which the passenger must inform about his
or her requirements."
Source : The Indian Express , 25th July 2013
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