Indian Railways: New luggage rules for train passengers, find out how much luggage you can carry for free..

IRCTC Luggage Rules: If you travel by train and carry a lot of luggage, this news is very important for you. The railways have taken a major decision regarding luggage rules. Now, passengers will have to pay extra charges for carrying luggage exceeding the prescribed limit. These rules will apply to passengers of all classes. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament about this.

Therefore, before boarding the train, it is important to know how much luggage you can carry for free in your coach and when you might have to pay extra.

Why did the railways change the luggage rules?
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha that the railways already have a fixed luggage limit based on the class of travel, but now these rules will be strictly enforced. If a passenger carries more luggage than the prescribed limit, they will have to pay a charge. These rules will be similar to those at airports, where extra fees are charged for excess baggage.

How much luggage is free in Second Class and Sleeper Class?
According to railway rules, passengers traveling in Second Class can carry up to 35 kg of luggage for free. If a passenger carries more than this, they can carry up to 70 kg of luggage by paying a charge.
Sleeper class passengers are allowed to carry 40 kg of luggage for free and a maximum of 80 kg of luggage is allowed, but an extra charge will be levied for the excess.

Rules for AC Three Tier, Chair Car and Second AC
Passengers traveling in AC Three Tier and Chair Car can carry up to 40 kg of luggage for free. This is the maximum limit for these classes; carrying more luggage is not allowed.
Second AC and First Class passengers are allowed to carry 50 kg of luggage for free. If the luggage exceeds this limit, up to 100 kg of luggage can be carried by paying a charge.

Maximum allowance in AC First Class
Those traveling in AC First Class have been given the most allowance. Passengers in this class can carry up to 70 kg of luggage for free. If needed, they can carry up to 150 kg of luggage by paying a charge. The railways have clarified that this limit includes all free baggage combined.

How much will you have to pay for excess baggage?
If a passenger carries more luggage than the free limit, they will have to pay 1.5 times the standard rate set by the railways. This charge will be collected at the time the passenger travels with the extra baggage.

What kind of luggage can be carried inside the compartment?
The Railway Minister stated that trunks, suitcases, and boxes measuring 100 cm in length, 60 cm in width, and 25 cm in height will be considered personal luggage and can be carried inside the compartment.

If a passenger's trunk or suitcase is larger than the specified size, it will not be allowed inside the compartment. Such luggage will have to be booked in the railway's brake van or parcel van. Additionally, carrying any commercial goods as personal luggage on the train is prohibited.

Violation of rules may lead to action
The railways have clearly stated that if a passenger does not follow these rules and travels with excess baggage, action may be taken against them. Therefore, be sure to check the weight and size of your luggage before traveling.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Navbharat Times. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.