Railway News: Carrying excess luggage could result in a fine that costs more than the ticket itself..

If you plan to carry excessive luggage while traveling by train, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the railway's regulations beforehand. Traveling with luggage exceeding the prescribed weight limit without prior booking can result in a penalty of up to six times the applicable luggage rate, in addition to standard extra charges; therefore, it is prudent to book excess luggage at the luggage office in advance.

Indian Railways has advised passengers to strictly adhere to luggage rules. According to Anurag Tripathi, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of the Jodhpur Division (North Western Railway), specific free luggage allowances have been set for each class of travel. If a passenger is found traveling with luggage exceeding this limit without prior booking, a charge of up to six times the luggage rate will be levied on the excess weight.

**Free luggage allowance up to 35 kg**
Furthermore, the Railways has strictly prohibited carrying commercial goods, large trunks, sacks, and cartons onto passenger berths; such items must be booked for transport in the brake van. According to Tripathi, passengers are permitted to carry the following amounts of luggage for free: 70 kg in AC First Class; 50 kg in AC 2-Tier/First Class; 40 kg in AC 3-Tier/AC Chair Car; 40 kg in Sleeper Class; and 35 kg in Second Class.

**Must be booked and sent via brake van (luggage van)**
According to railway policy, if the excess luggage falls within the prescribed marginal allowance, a charge of 1.5 times the luggage rate will be applied. However, carrying luggage that exceeds the maximum limit inside the passenger coach is not permitted; such items must be booked at the station's luggage office and transported via the brake van (luggage van) before the journey begins.

**Carrying luggage in passenger coaches is restricted**
These rules apply equally to MST (Monthly Season Ticket) holders. Possession of an MST does not entitle a passenger to any additional luggage allowance. According to Senior DCM Hitesh Yadav, carrying bulky items—such as large trunks, boxes, suitcases, commercial goods, sacks, and cartons—into passenger coaches is prohibited. Such items hinder other passengers during boarding and alighting and also compromise safety.

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