Western Railways to charge, even penalise you for excess luggage now

Western Railways' Rajkot division will launch a 15-day long drive to create awareness among passengers about carrying excess luggage in trains and penalty it attracts. A second-class compartment passenger can carry 70 kg baggage  and 35 kg can be carried free of cost. The 15-day awareness drive on the issue will start from June 8.  Earlier, there was no specific limit on baggage weight. On the other hand, the passengers of AC first class can carry 150 kg of baggage, of which 70 kg is free of charge, according to a PTI report.

As many passengers are yet not aware of the provision, the Western Railways is making its efforts to publicise the provision.  Passengers on the route have to book the excess luggage and on finding travelling with unbooked luggage, a passenger will be charged six times the prescribed rate. This is first of its kind measure taken by the national transporter. Till now airlines have baggage carrying limits. An air passenger can't carry baggage beyond a limit. 

The Rajkot division had collected Rs 37,440 from passengers for carrying excessive luggage, the report said. Meanwhile, in another development, Railway minister Piyush Goyal has warned zonal heads of various divisions of the Indian Railwaysthat late running of trains will cost their their promotions.