Metro train passengers in the country, excluding Calcutta, can now carry a heavier bag as the weight limit has been increased to 25 kg from 15 kg.
According to new rules notified by the Union housing and urban affairs ministry on August 27, only one bag weighing up to 25 kg is allowed and baggage in the form of bundles will not be permitted on metro trains.
In Calcutta Metro, which is governed by a different law, there is no bar on carrying multiple bags. But the weight of the baggage cannot exceed 10kg.
The urban affairs ministry’s August 27 notification meant for other Metro trains said: “No person shall,
while travelling in Metro railway, carry with him any goods other than one baggage containing personal belongings not exceeding 80 centimetres x 50 centimetres x 30 centimetres in size and 25 kilograms in gross weight, except with prior approval of the Metro railway administration.”
For dedicated Metro trains for airports, the ministry has allowed an additional bag weighing up to 32kg. Baggage in the form of bundles will also not be allowed on airport metro trains.
“In case of a dedicated Metro line for airport connection, no person shall, while travelling in metro railway, carry with him any goods other than two (pieces of) baggage containing personal belongings not exceeding 90 centimetres x 75 centimetres x 45 centimetres in size and 32 kilograms in gross weight, except with prior approval of the Metro railway administration...,” it added.
The government had amended the Metro Railways (Carriage and Ticket) Rules, 2014. The Metro Railways (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2002, initially covered the national capital region. But it has a provision under which the Centre can, after consultation with the state governments, extend this act to other metropolitan areas, except Calcutta. The Calcutta Metro is governed by the Railways Act, 1989.
