Now, stringent baggage rules for train travel

New Delhi, June 5: Just like air travel, now beware of carrying excess luggage while travelling in trains as well.

As a result of numerous complaints regarding excess baggage being dragged into train compartments, the Indian Railways has decided to strictly enforce its over-three-decades- old baggage allowance rules, which will see passengers paying up to six times the stipulated amount as penalty if caught travelling with overweight luggage, an official said on Tuesday.

According to the prescribed norms, a sleeper class and a second class passenger can carry luggage weighing 40 kg and 35 kg respectively without paying any extra money and a maximum of 80 kg and 70 kg respectively by paying for the excess luggage at the parcel office. The excess luggage would have to be put in the luggage van.

“The rules were already in place, we are now undertaking drives across the zones to raise awareness about those and implement the rules. Passengers are allowed to book and carry excess luggage in the luggage van, up to the maximum limit, on the payment of a fee equivalent to one- and-a-half times the luggage rate.

“If a passenger is found travelling with unbooked luggage weighing more than the free allowance, the excess weight will be charged six times the luggage

rate. The move is to ensure passenger convenience and address the issue of cramped compartments,” Ved Prakash, director, information and publicity, Railway Board, said. Officials said unlike at the airports, where the luggage of each passenger is weighed, the railways will carry out random checks among the passengers. For example, if a passenger is travelling 500 km with luggage weighing 80 kg in the sleeper class, he can book his excess baggage of 40 kg for Rs 109 in the luggage van. However, if he is caught with the excess luggage, he will end up paying a penalty of ` 654. Similarly, an AC first class passenger can carry 70 kg of luggage for free and a maximum of 150 kg, after paying a fee for the excess 80 kg. An AC two- tier passenger can carry 50 kg of luggage for free and a maximum of 100 kg by paying for the excess 50 kg.