In a move that could bring some relief to passengers, the Railways have advanced the timeline for Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) chart preparation by 10 hours. This will allow passengers with RAC to check their status much earlier than before.
At present, the RAC chart is prepared just four hours before a train’s departure, leaving them uncertain about the journey. The new revision is to help passengers prepare well for the journey.
As per the new guidelines, the first reservation chart will be prepared 10 hours before the departure of trains scheduled between 2:01 pm and 11:59 pm, as well as those departing between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 am. The revision will be implemented across all zonal divisions with immediate effect, according to the Railway Board.
Meanwhile, the Railways will now impose an extra fine for those carrying extra luggage, according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who added that the baggage regulations will resemble those being followed at airports.
"At present, class-wise maximum limit has been prescribed for carriage of luggage by the passenger along with him/her inside the compartments," Vaishnaw said in a written reply.
When the new norms come to place, passenger travelling in Second Class is allowed to carry 35 kg of luggage free of cost and up to 70 kg on a chargeable basis. For Sleeper Class passengers, the free allowance is 40 kg with a maximum permissible limit of 80 kg.
Passengers travelling in AC 3 Tier or Chair Car are permitted a free allowance of 40 kg, which is also the maximum limit.
First Class and AC 2 Tier passengers are permitted to carry 50 kg of luggage free of cost and up to 100 kg as the maximum limit. AC First Class passengers can carry 70 kg free of cost and up to 150 kg on a chargeable basis.