Indian Railways passenger? Does your luggage exceed specified limit? Know the charges you pay

Most of the Indian Railways passengers don't bother to check the weight of their luggage while every flier keeps only selected things when they have to board a flight. It was reported last year that railways will be imposing steep penalties on those travelling with excess luggage. However, reports were later rejected by the railways.

As per rules, passengers travelling in all Indian Railways trains are permitted to carry luggage free of charge with them in the compartment up to 70 Kg in First AC, 50 Kg in First Class/AC-2 tier, 40 Kg in AC 3-tier/AC Chair Car/Sleeper Class and 35 Kg in Second Class.

Passengers are allowed to book and carry excess luggage beyond free allowance, with them in the compartment up to the maximum prescribed class-wise limit on payment of charges at 1.5 times of luggage rate. The classwise maximum limit is as under:

When a passenger is detected either enroute or at the destination with unbooked or partially booked luggage weighing more than the free allowance/maximum prescribed class-wise limits, penalty as per rule is levied. The minimum charge is Rs 2 (1 to 10 kg) for 1 km distance and the maximum is Rs 1284.93 (91-100kg) for a dsitance between 4951 to 5000 km.

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As per rules, luggage with measures exceeding 100 cm X 60 cm X 25 cm should be booked in the brake van only while the luggage measuring 100 cm X 60 cm X 25 cm or below can be carried in the passenger coaches.