The government has issued draught rules to make air travel easier for disabled persons.

On October 16, the Civil Aviation Ministry announced draught recommendations for aviation industry stakeholders such as airlines and airports to ensure that disabled individuals can travel without difficulty.

Sudha Chandran, an actor, and dancer detailed her suffering in a video shared on social media last week, detailing how she was forced to remove her prosthetic leg before every security check at any airport.

Airport operators must create particular facilities to facilitate screening of people with special needs, according to the draught guidelines, so that the process is carried out effectively while "respecting the dignity and privacy of the passenger." According to the document, airport security — which is overseen by the CISF at most airports — may use X-ray, explosive trace detection technologies, or visual examinations during the screening of prostheses, depending on their requirements.

The passenger, who has a prosthetic limb, will go through a metal detector in the door frame before being transferred to a separate screening area and made to sit comfortably, according to the report. According to the draught standards, this passenger will be subjected to extra screening, including a pat-down.

"A prosthetic appliance that does not have any foam padding cover beneath which a weapon or explosive may be hidden and in which the appliance's steel rod is plainly visible may be screened just by visual examination and ETD checks, without having to remove it." X-ray screening may be used in exceptional circumstances when there is an adequate rationale, including passenger profiling, it added, adding that the justification for subjecting a prosthetic limb to X-ray screening must be recorded by the screener in a register. It stated that X-ray screening is required for prosthetic appliances that are wrapped in foam padding and have a steel rod that is not visible.

Passengers with external equipment like insulin pumps, hearing aids, cochlear implants, spinal stimulators, bone growth stimulators, and ostomies will not be required to disconnect them for X-ray screening, according to the proposed rules.

A passenger can execute a self-pat-down of these gadgets in most instances, followed by an ETD screening of his or her hands, according to the report.

It stated that disabled travelers should notify the airline 48 hours prior to the scheduled departure of their complete requirements so that the carrier can make appropriate adjustments. If a passenger wishes to check their wheelchair at the airport, the airline must guarantee that it is properly taxed and delivered to the baggage make-up area with a service partner to avoid any damage, according to the report. Passengers should verify with the airline about the specific rules for flying with service animals. According to the draught standards, wheelchair users should be boarded or debarred using a low-floor coach or a ramp."Airlines should guarantee that new hires receive disability awareness training and that all staff receives periodic refreshers to reinforce policies and standard operating procedures on customer assistance with all forms of disabilities," it stated. The Civil Aviation Ministry has offered individuals three weeks to submit comments and recommendations on the draught "Accessibility Standards and Guidelines for Civil Aviation," following which the final guidelines will be released.