The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the Central government and the Southern Railway to file a report to a public interest litigation petition that sought a direction to the authorities to provide battery-operated vehicle services at Madurai and Tiruchi railway junctions free of cost.
A Division Bench of Justices P. Velmurugan and K.K. Ramakrishnan was hearing the petition filed by Swamimalai Sundara Vimalanathan of Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district.
The petitioner said battery-operated vehicles were provided at railway stations as a mobility-assistance facility for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and other needy passengers.
Battery-operated vehicle service was introduced in Tiruchi railway junction in 2017 and was initially provided free of cost. However, from 2018 on the service was converted into a paid facility and ₹30 was collected per passenger for the service, he said.
Battery-operated vehicles at Tiruchi railway junction were procured through the Corporate Social Responsibility contributions and government welfare schemes. Charging the beneficiaries defeats the purpose of such welfare funding, he said.
He said in Madurai railway junction the services were initially provided free of cost before a nominal charge was introduced. As per the consolidated accessibility data, out of the 252 railway stations under Madurai and Tiruchi divisions, battery operated vehicle services were available only in 11 stations. The data provides widespread non-availability of battery operated services for passengers requiring assistance, he said.
He sought a direction to the authorities to provide the battery operated vehicle services at Madurai and Tiruchi railway junctions free of cost. The court posted the matter for hearing to November 10.
Published - October 14, 2026 09:15 pm IST