Payyanur (Kerala): The Railways is ending parcel facilities at two more major stations in Malabar. Services will be withdrawn from Kasaragod and Thalassery stations starting Saturday, July 25. Moving forward, along the 307-kilometre stretch between Mangaluru and Shoranur, this facility will be restricted to just five stations – Mangaluru, Kannur, Kozhikode, Tirur and Shoranur. Parcel facilities had already been phased out earlier at stations, including Payyanur and Kanhangad.

Under current railway regulations, items ranging from fish to motorbikes can be booked for train transit. However, a train must halt for at least five minutes at both the loading and unloading stations.

In Kerala, even major Class-A stations lack a five-minute stoppage for the majority of trains. Due to high volumes of parcel traffic bound for Mumbai on the Nethravathi Express, its stoppage at Kozhikode station was specifically extended from three minutes to five minutes.

Luggage can only be carried in the guard's luggage van if a five-minute window for handling parcels is available at both origin and destination stations. At stations such as Kannur, where train halts are limited to three minutes, goods are currently being dispatched under the passenger luggage scheme. However, this requires purchasing a valid passenger ticket as well.

Carrying luggage hand-to-hand

Railways permits each passenger a specific free luggage allowance based on their class of travel and size dimensions. Additional weight beyond the free limit can be carried along by paying a fee. If the total weight exceeds the maximum permissible limit, the luggage van must be utilised. Passengers carrying goods in excess of allowed limits without adhering to weight and dimension norms will face penalties. When passenger spaces get cluttered with oversized luggage, it directly affects the comfort and sleeping arrangements of co-passengers.

Permissible passenger luggage allowance by class:

  • Second Class: 35 kg free allowance (up to 70 kg by paying additional fee)
  • Sleeper Class: 40 kg free allowance (up to 80 kg by paying additional fee)
  • Third AC: 40 kg free allowance (up to 40 kg by paying additional fee)
  • Second AC: 50 kg free allowance (up to 100 kg by paying additional fee)
  • First AC: 70 kg free allowance (up to 150 kg by paying additional fee)