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Metro Rail has become the most convenient, fastest and economical means of transportation in urban life. Lakhs of commuters every day in major cities like Delhi-NCR, Lucknow, Kanpur, Noida, Bengaluru or Mumbai depend on Metro for their daily commute. Many times, passengers going to railway stations, bus stands or airports board the metro carrying heavy bags, suitcases or trolleys with them. However, the Metro is not just a transportation service but a high-security rapid transit system. Keeping in mind the convenience of passengers, space inside the coach and security checks, the Metro administration has set clear and strict guidelines regarding the weight and size of luggage. If your bag turns out to be larger or heavier than these standards, you may be stopped from entering the station during security check (CISF or Metro Security Guard).
As per Metro rules, each passenger is allowed to carry only one standard size personal bag or suitcase. Maximum luggage weight per passenger on normal lines in most metro networks in the country, including Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). 25 kilograms has been fixed. Along with the weight, there is also a limit on the external size (dimension) of the bag, so that the luggage can easily pass through the scanner machine and does not obstruct the sitting or standing of other co-passengers in the coach. According to standard rules, the maximum length of the bag should not exceed 80 centimeters, width 50 centimeters and height 30 centimeters.
Baggage rules on Airport Express lines connecting international and domestic flights are slightly more liberal than on normal metro lines. Maximum number of passengers can be carried on the Airport Express Line running from New Delhi Railway Station to Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport and Yasho Bhoomi Dwarka. 32 kilograms Legal allowance is given to carry luggage up to. The size limit of bags on this line is also a little bigger, under which length has been validated up to 90 centimeters, width up to 75 centimeters and height up to 45 centimeters.
City check-in and luggage drop facilities are also provided for passengers of major airlines at select stations on the Airport Express Line, such as New Delhi and Shivaji Stadium. Here, passengers can collect their flight boarding pass and deposit their heavy luggage, which is safely sent directly to the airport. But keep in mind, this 32 kg discount is limited to the Airport Express Corridor only; If you transfer from there to the normal line (Yellow, Blue or Red Line), you will again have to follow the normal 25 kg rule.
It is often seen at metro stations that some passengers, while coming from villages or towns, bring with them big bundles of clothes, plastic sacks, open cartons tied with ropes or big metal boxes. Carrying of this type of luggage is strictly prohibited under Metro operating and safety rules. According to security officials, bundles of clothes or stitched sacks are technically difficult to screen in X-ray baggage scanners and there is a risk of them creating a mess or slipping on the floor in a crowded coach.
If a passenger reaches the security checkpoint carrying such an untidy bundle or sack in place of a bag or suitcase, the security forces may immediately deny him entry. Additionally, any item that is likely to damage the clothing of other passengers, cause injury or soil the coach floor is not allowed on the platform. If the goods are being transported as bulk goods for any commercial purpose, then there is a strict ban on that too as the metro cannot be used for freight transportation.
The first stop as you enter the concourse level of the metro station is the baggage scanner. It is mandatory for passengers to keep every small and big bag of theirs on the conveyor belt. If the size of your bag exceeds the prescribed standards, it may get stuck in the mouth of the scanner tunnel, due to which the security personnel conduct physical inspection of heavy trolley bags and deny entry even if the travel token or smart card is in violation of the rules.
Under security regulations, carrying certain items in a bag is a legal offence. These include all types of firearms, inflammable substances (like petrol, diesel, kerosene, thinner, paint), firecrackers, gas cylinders, open knives, scissors, sharp objects like swords and poisonous chemicals. Regarding liquor bottles, a maximum of two bottles of sealed liquor are allowed in Delhi Metro, but drinking liquor or opening the bottle inside the coach or station premises is illegal and there is a provision of heavy fine and legal action for doing so.
Under the Metro Railway (Operation and Maintenance) Act, authorized security personnel and station managers have the power to take punitive action against any person who violates the rules. If a passenger is caught with heavy luggage exceeding the prescribed limit or argues with the station staff, he may be fined as prescribed and may be deboarded from the train at the next station itself.
For a smooth and stress-free journey, it is advised to check the weight of your luggage at home before traveling by metro. Always use a sturdy and compact trolley bag or suitcase with a zip so that there are no obstructions in passing through the baggage scanner. If you have a lot of large cartons that weigh more than the limit of 25 kg, it would be wise to opt for cabs or other surface road transport instead of the metro.