The incident took place yesterday when Anita Ghai, a Delhi University associate professor, landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi.
A differently-abled woman has trashed Air India's statement that she was provided with a wheelchair on "aircraft doorstep" alleging that she had to crawl on the airport tarmac because the staff could not arrange for one.
Dr Anita Ghai, a 56-year-old professor with Ambedkar University landed in Delhi on Janunay 29 on an Air Alliance flight from Dehradun. She alleged that she waited for more than 35 minutes before crawling to a coach that took her to the terminal and no wheelchair or any other help could be arranged despite her insistence. She was accompanied by her friend who carried her articles while she had to crawl on the tarmac.
Ms Ghai said, I waited till 8:15 then I got on my 4's and I kept waiting, finally I had to crawl to the coach. I was traumatised & humiliated."
Denying the allegations, Air India said in a statement, "Since the aircraft was parked at a distant bay, it took some time to bring the wheelchair. Since passengers were getting down from the aircraft, our support staff actively helped the passenger to come out of the aircraft ensuring no inconvenience and the wheelchair was provided at aircraft doorstep.
Ms Ghai claims that the statement is a complete lie. "Why would I have to crawl then?" she said.
Though a statement has been released by the airlines, Ms Ghai says she has not received any response on the complaint she lodged with Air India limited.
Ms Ghai, However, said that it was a matter of negligence and she does not wish to file any police complaint.