Why you can carry only 20 kg of this food on Indian trains

We often talk about foods to eat on trains, meals served on trains, best foods served at railway stations and so on. But have you ever thought or read about which foods are actually allowed and which are not allowed on Indian trains? Well, today, we are going to shed some light on this and help you understand why there is an exception rule regarding a special food item, enjoyed in almost every home. Scroll down to read the details.

What does the government rule say?

According to the West Central Railway website, oily articles such as Oil, Ghee and Paints etc are not allowed with an exception for ghee up to 20 kg, securely packed in tin is permitted with the passenger.

The website duly mentions a list of articles not accepted as luggage. It is mentioned in IRCA Coaching Tariff No. 26, P-I, V-I, Rule No. 505. Take a look.

1.Offensive Articles such as Wet skin, leather etc. Exception- Wet skin booked on owner risk will be accepted, when packed in air tight box.

2.Dangerous, explosive & inflammable articles and empty gas cylinder. Ex[ection- Safety cinema film, Safety cartridges, small oxygen cylinder with sick passenger. Empty gas cylinder can be carried in break van but it is not permitted in compartment with passenger.

3.Oily articles such as Oil, Ghee and Paints etc. Exception- Ghee up to 20 kg, securely packed in tin is permitted with the passenger.

4.Dry, grass, dry leaves, scrap papers.

5.Acid and other corrosive substances which are mentioned in IRCA Red Tariff.

6.Dead poultry or game.

7.Mercantile goods/ luggage.

Why oily items are not allowed on train

According to experts and Indian Railways guidelines, oil-based substances such as oil, paint, and ghee are generally considered sensitive items because leakage can create safety and hygiene issues inside coaches. Also, it is believed that oil-based products can spill during travel, especially when trains move at high speeds and any leakage can damage other passengers’ belongings, make floors slippery, and even create fire hazards in some situations. As mentioned on the website, passengers are advised to use leak-proof containers and avoid carrying loosely packed liquid or semi-liquid products.

What does the report say

According to a ETV Bharat report from 2023, the guidelines were issued following the Madurai train accident in which nine people were killed. The train was carrying 65 tourists from Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow. Preliminary investigations revealed that an illegal LPG cylinder on board the private coach had led to the blaze.

What else does it say

According to the website, in addition to the free allowance certain articles which are normally used by passengers during the journey are also allowed free without weighment. The articles which are allowed free on each class of ticket are as under:-

In the case of AC First class and First Class passengers, Tiffin basket including small ice boxes, small hand bags or attaches cases (not suit cases), walking sticks and umbrellas are allowed free and will not, therefore, be weighted.

In the case of second class passengers, walking sticks, umbrellas and such articles of food as may be required on the journey are allowed free and will not, therefore, be weight.