With an aim to increase passenger comfort levels and safety on India railways which is one of the largest railway systems in the world, Indian railways is preparing to enforce and impose strict luggage carriage regulations and rules just like the airlines’ baggage policy. Soon travellers will have to be extremely cautious about the weight and size of their luggage; otherwise, they can afford heavy penalties for going above the prescribed limit.
The initiative is seen in the context of recurrent grievances about overcrowded coaches, where too much luggage would result in a small space and discomfort for other passengers. We have even witnessed cases where bulky bags obstruct aisles and seating zones, hence making it hard to move about and even run in case of emergencies, a senior railway official told this correspondent on condition of anonymity. As the Railways enforces these norms, it is expected that this might serve to make travelling a more orderly, safer experience, as no one will wish to have a poor experience.
In the new directives that will be implemented in big stations in the country soon, electronic weighing platforms will be newly fitted at the platform’s entrance. Passengers will not have any last-minute hassles: the luggage will be scrutinised in terms of weight and size before boarding the plane. Such a proactive step is based on aviation standards, where baggage-related restrictions are nothing new.
Free baggage permits depend on the travel class, and they are customised according to the requirements of the passengers:
First Class AC coaches: 70 g per capita.
AC Second Class: 50 KG.
Third Class AC and Sleeper Class: 40 kg of allowance.
For general compartment butterflies, only 35 kg is allowed.
Any overcharge will invite fines, but exact penalty levels have not been put in place. The authorities underline that these are the restrictions that focus on the juxtaposition of convenience and feasibility, as they leave plenty of space to accommodate necessities, avoiding overloading.
The aspect of safety and convenience has been emphasised by the railway authorities. Not only is excess luggage an inconvenience, but it can turn into a danger in the thronging trains, the official added. This policy will help the passengers pack smartly, probably deciding to use courier services with heavy luggage, thereby ensuring that rail travel becomes fun for everyone.
With preparations currently in full swing, like pilot tests which are already in progress at major hubs such as New Delhi and Mumbai, commuters are being advised to revise their packing in place. For regular travellers, such as families or people who move, this may entail a transition to lighter and smaller luggage alternatives.
Passenger welfare of India railways which transports millions of people daily on their network of 115,000 km, had always been a priority. The new measure follows in the footsteps of recent improvements such as high-speed trains and e-ticketing to transform this system. However, although some passengers might complain of being put under a scrutinising lens, some embrace it as a long overdue reform in order to address the mess of overstuffed journeys.