Railway allows javelins, bulky equipment except pole-vaults
Sportspersons will now be allowed to carry javelins and bulky sports equipment on trains even if these items exceed the prescribed dimensions. However, pole-vault poles have been excluded from the relaxation.
In a recently issued circular, the railway ministry made provisions for the carriage of oversized and fragile sports equipment of non-standard dimensions in trains.
The relaxation followed reports highlighting the difficulties faced by sportspersons in carrying equipment of non-standard dimensions while travelling by train.
The circular states that javelins and other bulky sports equipment may be booked and carried in the available luggage space of trains on a priority basis, subject to payment of the applicable freight charges.
“It shall also be ensured that the above sports equipment shall be transported in available luggage space of SLRs/SLRDs/LWLRRMs of the same train in which the sports persons are travelling,” the circular said.
SLRs (second luggage-cum-guard vans) are non-air-conditioned coaches that include a guard’s compartment, a luggage/parcel area, and limited unreserved seating. SLRDs are upgraded versions of SLRs equipped with wheelchair-accessible compartments and adapted toilets for passengers with disabilities.
Some trains are equipped with LWLRRM coaches, which house diesel generator sets that supply power to the entire air-conditioned train and also contain a guard’s cabin and luggage space.
The ministry has clarified that existing commercial circulars prescribing maximum weight limits for luggage will not apply to sports equipment, subject to verification by the parcel supervisor that the consignment is genuinely sports equipment.
“Pole for pole vault is technically not feasible to be carried either in luggage portion of SLRs/SLRDs/LWLRRMs or in the passenger area of SLRs/SLRDs/LWLRRMs or any passenger carrying coach,” the circular stated.
“All other terms and conditions regarding carriage of luggage in trains shall remain the same,” it added, directing the principal chief commercial managers of all railway zones to issue necessary instructions to the officials concerned.
