In what can be seen as good news for those tired of standing in long queues at the parcel office for the extra luggage, Indian Railways have introduced new online excess luggage booking facility that allows eligible passengers to declare, pay for and manage extra baggage digitally while planning their journey.
The new service, launched on July 31, is aimed at making train travel more convenient by integrating excess luggage booking with the online ticketing process. Instead of making a separate visit to the parcel office, passengers can now complete the process online before their journey begins.
The new service integrates excess luggage booking with the online ticket reservation system, enabling eligible passengers to complete the process digitally at the time of booking.Earlier, passengers carrying baggage beyond the prescribed free allowance were required to visit railway parcel counters to book excess luggage separately, a process that often involved additional paperwork and waiting in queues.
The online facility is available only to passengers holding confirmed tickets and applies to travel classes in which carrying baggage beyond the free allowance is permitted on payment of applicable charges.
Passengers travelling in AC First Class, AC 2-Tier, First Class, Sleeper Class and Second Class are eligible to avail of the service. However, the facility is not available for passengers travelling in AC 3-Tier and AC Chair Car, as the maximum permissible baggage limit in these classes is the same as the free luggage allowance.
Under the existing baggage rules, AC First Class passengers can carry up to 70 kg free of charge and a maximum of 150 kg after paying excess luggage charges. Passengers travelling in AC 2-Tier and First Class are entitled to a free allowance of 50 kg, with a maximum permissible limit of 100 kg.
Sleeper Class passengers may carry up to 40 kg free and a maximum of 80 kg after paying the prescribed charges, while Second Class passengers are allowed 35 kg free and up to 70 kg in total. In AC 3-Tier and AC Chair Car, passengers are permitted to carry up to 40 kg, which also constitutes the maximum allowable limit.Indian Railways said passengers carrying baggage beyond the free allowance but within the prescribed maximum limit will be required to pay the applicable excess luggage charges.
The Railways also continues to enforce size restrictions on luggage carried inside passenger coaches. Trunks, suitcases and boxes measuring up to 100 cm × 60 cm × 25 cm are generally permitted in compartments. For passengers travelling in AC 3-Tier and AC Chair Car coaches, the maximum permissible luggage dimensions are 55 cm × 45 cm × 22.5 cm.The online booking facility is expected to simplify baggage management for passengers and improve the overall travel experience.
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