Fearing public outrage and controversy over the proposed penalty on passengers carrying excess luggage in trains, the Railway Ministry has decided to shelve the move and instead launch a “public awareness campaign”.
The decision of the Indian Railways to strictly enforce its over three-decade-old luggage allowance rules by slapping up to six-time penalty for carrying excess load in train had led to widespread outrage and people took to the social media to condemn the order.
The implementation of the measure could have created serious problem for the passengers, especially on stations with brief stoppage because the excess luggage needed to be booked into parcel vans.
Sources said Railway Minister Piyush Goyal was unhappy with the proposed measures and directed the officials to drop it forthwith.
“It was felt that in heavy summer rush, passengers carrying excess luggage cause much inconvenience to fellow passengers. Hence, a special educative-cum-awareness drive has been launched to educate passengers not to carry excessive luggage for the convenience of fellow passengers.
“During this drive, passengers are to be informed about rules regarding free allowance, maximum permissible quantity of luggage and other provisions of railway luggage allowance,” said Rajesh Bajpayee, spokesman, the Ministry of Railways.
In its awareness programme which will continue without penalising the passengers, the Railways will try to educate the passengers not to carry trunks, suitcases and boxes beyond the prescribed measurements of 100cmX 60cm X 25cm (length, breadth, height).
According to the prescribed existing norms, a sleeper class and a second class passenger can carry luggage weighing 40 kg and 35 kg respectively without paying any extra money, and a maximum of 80 kg and 70 kg respectively by paying for the excess luggage at the parcel office. The excess luggage would have to be put in the luggage van.
Similarly, an AC first class passenger can carry 70 kg of luggage for free and a maximum of 150 kg after paying a fee for the excess 80 kg. An AC two-tier passenger can carry 50 kg of luggage for free and another 50 kg by paying a fee. An AC 3-tier sleeper/AC chair car passenger can carry 40 kg of luggage for free and a maximum of 80 kg after paying a fee for the excess 40 kg.
Railway officials further stated that keeping in view the fact that peak summer rush gives scope to nefarious elements for toutism, a special Ticket Checking Drive has been launched to curb transfer of ticket cases, without ticket passengers, irregular ticket passengers, detection of fake/forged tickets, if any.
“The purpose of this drive is to facilitate the honest traveller and nab the mischievous persons. The Media is requested to give wide publicity request all to travel only with valid ID,” added Spokesman of the Ministry of Railways.