Western Railway announces new norms for passenger baggage ahead of Diwali

The Western Railway on Wednesday announced that a fine will be imposed if passengers’ luggage exceeds the permitted limit for their respective class of travel.

The announcement comes days after a stampede at Mumbai’s Bandra Terminus. The Western Railway urged people not to overcrowd stations.

What are the new standards?

Each passenger is allowed to carry a certain amount of luggage for free, but items such as scooters and bicycles, as well as shipments exceeding dimensions greater than 100cm x 100cm x 70cm, are not eligible for the free baggage allowance, according to a statement issued on Tuesday released. read.

According to the railway authorities, passengers are allowed to book and carry excess baggage, beyond the free allowance, in the compartment up to the maximum prescribed limit for payment of charges of 1.5 times the baggage fee.

The maximum limit per class is as under:

Class Maximum limit

• 1st AC 150 kg
• 1st AC-2 level 100 kg
• AC 3-tier/AC chair trolley 40 kg
• Sleeping class 80 kg
• Second class 70 kg

“Western Railway urges all passengers to avoid overcrowding at stations and enter buildings only when necessary, in accordance with train schedules, while adhering to established baggage limits,” the statement said.

The step has been taken to reduce congestion at the platforms and facilitate smoother movement of passengers within the station premises, the report said.

“The free amount varies for different travel classes. If the baggage exceeds the marginal free allowance, a fine will be charged accordingly,” the press release said. The directive takes effect immediately and will remain in effect until November 8.

The WR noted that the amount of parcels being stacked on platforms for loading onto trains is causing inconvenience to passenger movements. In view of the safety of passengers, instructions have been given not to stack parcel shipments on platforms for a long time before the scheduled departure of a train, the press release said.

Ten persons were injured in a stampede during the heavy rush to board the Gorakhpur-bound Antyodaya Express train at Mumbai’s Bandra Terminus on Sunday.

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