The Indian Railways is going to make big changes to its luggage restrictions and the way its stations work. The main goal is to modernize important railway stations in the North Central Railway (NCR) zone. These adjustments are meant to make things easier for passengers and make operations more efficient.
New limits on bags will be in place
Reports say that new rules around baggage will soon be in place to keep passengers safe and comfortable. The new guidelines, which will apply to major NCR stations, set varied weight limits for different types of travel:
AC First Class: 70 kg at the most
AC Two Tier: 50 kg max
AC Three Tier and Sleeper Class: Up to 40 kilograms
General Class: 30 kg or less
Electronic weighing equipment will be put in places like Prayagraj Junction to check the weight of bags. People who bring luggage that is too heavy or too big will have to pay fines.
Updating Under the Amrit Bharat Plan
The new rules are part of a bigger, more ambitious goal to modernize the country under the Amrit Bharat Scheme. The reconstruction of Prayagraj Junction, a major station in the NCR, is getting a huge investment of Rs 960 crore. The plans call for a nine-story skyscraper with the most up-to-date amenities.
The refurbished stations will have a number of modern features to make the passenger experience better, such as:
Ticket machines that use computers
Wi-Fi that is fast
Energy systems that run on solar power
Digital data centers
Technology for collecting rainwater
These stations will also have single-brand stores that sell a wide range of items, from clothes and gadgets to travel necessities, in an effort to mimic airport-style shopping. This is part of an initiative to give passengers more options for things to do while they wait.
“Airport-Style” Access Control
Implementing “airport-style” access control will be one of the biggest adjustments. Starting in December 2026, only passengers with tickets will be able to enter the terminal section of these updated stations. People who aren’t passengers will need to get a special “visitor pass” to go into the area. This aims to make it safer and less crowded.
The new rules and changes to the infrastructure would be put in place at important NCR stations like Prayagraj Junction, Chheoki, Subedarganj, Kanpur Central, Mirzapur, Tundla, Aligarh Junction, Govindpuri, Lucknow Charbagh, Banaras, and Etawah.