Passengers' luggage will be weighed at 14 railway stations in the Lucknow division. Fees and fines will be levied for exceeding the prescribed weight limit. The Railway Board has implemented a new rule to prevent overloading and enhance safety.
Lucknow: Northern and North-Eastern Railways have implemented a significant change for passengers. Now, passengers at 14 major railway stations in the Lucknow division will have to pay fees according to the weight of their luggage. This rule will be implemented along the lines of airports. The Railway Board has issued clear orders that a fee will be charged per kilogram for carrying luggage exceeding the prescribed weight. A fine has also been fixed for any passenger carrying excess weight without paying the required fee.
The railway stated that this step has been taken to prevent overloading and ensure passenger facilities. Passengers' luggage will be weighed via weighing machines before entering the station.
Which stations will the new rule apply to?
Under the Northern Railway Lucknow division, this system will be implemented at a total of 14 stations including Lucknow, Lucknow Junction, Aishbagh, Ayodhya, Raebareli, Pratapgarh, Varanasi, Jaunpur, Sultanpur, Barabanki, and Gonda. Weighing machines will be installed by the railway at these stations, and passengers' luggage will be measured according to the prescribed standards.
Senior DCM Kuldeep Tiwari has instructed his subordinate staff to strictly comply with the orders of the Railway Board. The objective of this system is to improve passenger safety and facilities.
Prescribed Luggage Weight and Fees
The railway has already set a rule for the weight of luggage for passengers. Passengers are allowed to carry 70 kg in AC First Class, 50 kg in AC Second Class, 40 kg in Third AC and Sleeper Class, and 35 kg in General Class.
If a passenger carries luggage exceeding the prescribed limit, they will have to pay a fee per kilogram. In addition, a fine of six times the booking charge will be levied for carrying excess weight without paying the fee. If the size of the luggage is large, an additional fee will be charged based on its dimensions.
Preparations to Ensure Compliance with the Rules
The railway had previously implemented this rule in 2018 and 2022, but it was later withdrawn. Now, the railway has decided to strictly re-implement it to prevent overloading. Railway officials say that passengers will have to pay fees according to the weight of their luggage, and this will be strictly enforced at the stations.
Porters' Demands
Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Coolie Morcha (National Porters' Front) submitted a memorandum to the railway administration in Lucknow and across the country. The Morcha has demanded Group D jobs, education, and health services. Ram Suresh, the coordinator of the Morcha, stated that the memorandum requested an investigation into the current conditions of porters.
