If train travel was your preferred mode of travel because of the flexibility of carrying an unrestricted amount of luggage, you might have to revise your choices.
Indian Railways will also start imposing penalties if you're spotted carrying excess luggage without booking the same.?The penalty for carrying extra luggage without booking it?could be six times more than the regular rates.
Passengers traveling in AC first class can carry up to 70 kg for free, and for AC second class, the limit is 50 kg.?Carrying baggage up to 40 kilos is allowed in AC 3-tier sleepers, AC chair cars, and the sleeper class. For 2-class, the limit is up to 25 kg.
The minimum charge for luggage is Rs. 30. Luggage that will travel by the same train as the owner should be presented at the luggage office of the booking station at least 30 minutes before the departure time. Passengers can also book their luggage in advance while booking their tickets.
"Luggage which is not securely packed will not be accepted for booking and carriage unless the sender or his authorized agent executes a forwarding note and records therein such defects or improper packing," said a notification.
The Ministry of Railways took to social media to urge passengers to travel light to make it a "pleasing" experience for fellow travelers.
"If the luggage is more than half, the enjoyment of the journey will be half!" Do not travel by train while carrying more luggage. In the case of excess baggage, go to the parcel office and book the luggage. "
The notification states that if any passenger is detected either en route or at the destination with unbooked or partially booked luggage weighing more than the free allowance, the excess unbooked weight exceeding the free allowance of luggage is charged at six times the luggage scale rate instead of six times the scale-R as earlier.
The notification adds, "However, if unbooked or partially booked luggage is detected more than the free allowance of luggage, but within the marginal allowance, it is charged at 1.5 times the luggage scale rate."
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