Heartbreaking Mumbai Metro Lift Breakdown Strands Wheelchair-Comedian: ‘Told to Go Home on Foot’
A Mumbai-based stand-up comedian, Karn Shah, has ignited an online furor after sharing his harrowing experience of being stranded for over 45 minutes at Worli Metro Station due to a malfunctioning lift. The incident, which he described as “one of the most horrific nights” of his life, highlights ongoing issues with accessibility in public transport for individuals with disabilities.
Shah, known for his appearance on Samay Raina’s YouTube show “India’s Got Latent,” posted a video on Instagram recounting his ordeal. He stated that the sole lift at Worli Metro Station was out of order, leaving him unable to exit the station safely. In his video, Shah emphasized, “I’ve been waiting here for over 45 minutes. Unfortunately, there is only one working lift at Worli, and that too isn’t working.”
As he sought assistance from station staff, Shah reported a disheartening response: he was told, “Aap ghar paidal chale jao” (Go home walking), despite his reliance on a wheelchair. In the video, he panned to the busy roads outside the station, remarking on the dangerous conditions that would face anyone attempting to navigate them on foot, especially someone in his position.
Shah expressed frustration not just with the condition of the lift but also with the metro’s emergency helpline, claiming his calls to the number went unanswered. “I called the emergency number two or three times. They say they’ll connect you to someone, but the call disconnects in two seconds. No one picks up,” he recounted. With no help available and immediate needs unmet, Shah felt compelled to venture onto the road, despite the lack of accessible washrooms or facilities due to the malfunctioning metro infrastructure.
In his post’s caption, Shah underscored the gravity of the situation: “Tonight I wasn’t scared because I’m disabled. I was scared because the system failed me at every step — lifts, helplines, roads, washrooms.” He poignantly declared, “Accessibility is not luxury infrastructure. It is basic human dignity.”
The public response to Shah’s video has been swift, with many expressing outrage over what they perceive as systemic failures in India’s infrastructure. Comments have ranged from statements calling for accountability by authorities to comparisons with international accessibility standards. One user remarked, “This is just terrible. This needs to be fixed. Thank you for raising this and so sorry you had to go through this.” Others echoed sentiments of empathy and frustration, highlighting the challenges faced by those needing accessible infrastructure.
Despite the widespread attention and calls for change, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation has yet to issue a statement addressing the incident or addressing the concerns raised by Shah. As the situation unfolds, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues faced by individuals with disabilities in navigating public spaces in India.
The need for improved accessibility remains paramount, and many advocates are urging local and national authorities to prioritize infrastructure changes that respect the rights and dignity of all citizens.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/trends/mumbai-metro-lift-breakdown-leaves-wheelchair-using-comedian-stranded-at-worli-station-told-to-go-home-on-foot-11768582188477.html
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Publish Date: 2026-01-16 22:36:00
