Luggage Will Be Weighed at Railway Stations Like Airports
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Traveling by train in India is about to feel a little more like flying. The Indian Railways has announced plans to strictly enforce its baggage rules, with passengers’ luggage being weighed at stations, much like airport procedures. This move comes as part of efforts to improve passenger safety, ensure smoother boarding, and prevent excessive baggage from being carried into coaches.
Currently, many travelers carry large amounts of luggage without adhering to official limits, which often leads to congestion inside compartments. To address this, the Railways will now conduct random luggage checks and weight verification at major stations. Passengers carrying baggage beyond the permissible limit may have to pay extra charges or risk offloading of excess items.
According to the rules, the free baggage allowance varies depending on the class of travel:
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First AC: 70 kg per passenger (with the option to book up to 150 kg)
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AC 2-Tier: 50 kg (maximum 100 kg with booking)
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AC 3-Tier / Sleeper Class: 40 kg (maximum 80 kg with booking)
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Second Class (General): 35 kg (maximum 70 kg with booking)
For additional luggage, passengers must book their items in the luggage van before the journey and pay the required fee. Unauthorized excess baggage, if detected during checks, may attract fines.
The Railways has clarified that the step is not meant to trouble passengers but to maintain order inside coaches and ensure comfortable travel. Officials also emphasized that the practice of weighing luggage will initially be enforced at major junctions before expanding across the network.
With these new checks, passengers are advised to travel light and plan ahead to avoid last-minute hassles at the station.
