The Centre has agreed in principle to formulate a policy granting railway travel concessions to acid attack survivors to enable them to travel to super-speciality hospitals in major cities for periodic treatment and reconstructive surgeries.

Executive Summary: Railway Concessions for Acid Attack Survivors

Date: November 7, 2026

Source: Business Standard Article / Supreme Court Proceedings

Key Highlights

• In-Principle Approval: The Ministry of Railways informed the Supreme Court of India that it has agreed in principle to extend railway travel concessions to acid attack survivors.

• Category Classification: The Centre proposes to place acid attack survivors under the existing "patient category" (similar to cancer or thalassemia patients) rather than a separate disability category, to ensure streamlined implementation without altering concessions across other disability groups.

• Purpose of Relief: The concession aims to help survivors travel to specialized medical institutions in major metropolitan cities (such as Delhi, Chennai, and Hyderabad) for prolonged reconstructive surgeries, ophthalmic care, and post-operative treatment.

• Supreme Court Directions: A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana directed the Centre to consider granting the concessions liberally and submit the draft policy within six weeks.

• Background: The direction follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Atijeevan Society, highlighting that burn injuries and post-surgery itching make travel in AC coaches necessary for survivors, yet the high fares and procedural hurdles in obtaining medical certificates create significant financial barriers.