Indian Railways cancels their plan to penalise passenger for carrying excess luggage. According to a PTI report, the authorities have said that the intention to change a three-decade-old rule was to generate awareness among passengers. According to railway ministry spokesperson Rajesh Bajpayee as quoted in the PTI report, the drive was merely to make people aware of how carrying excess luggage causes inconvenience to other travellers. It was meant to inform people about the maximum luggage that can be carried and other provisions.

Post the announcement by Indian Railways to charge for excess luggage; it received massive flak among the public. Especially the decision to punish the passengers up to six times the stipulated luggage weight had led to widespread criticism with people taking to social media, and not supporting the move. According to reports, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal was also very unhappy with the proposed measures and immediately asked to drop it.

According to the recently introduced rules, 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 baggage at the parcel office. The excess luggage would have to be put in the luggage van. Like, 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 travel with 50 kg of luggage for free and another 50 kg by paying a fee while 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 price for the excess 40 kg.

The Railways will further try to educate the passengers not to carry trunks, suitcases and boxes beyond the prescribed measurements of 100cmX 60cm X 25cm (length, breadth, height). Reportedly, keeping in view the recent summer peak rush, the Indian Railways will continue to run several other awareness programmes.

(With inputs from PTI)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 08, 2018 08:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).