Permissible Luggage Weight & Dimensions
To maintain passenger safety, prevent aisle obstructions, and ensure rapid emergency evacuations, Indian metro systems (including Kolkata Metro, Delhi Metro DMRC, Bengaluru Namma Metro, and Mumbai Metro) enforce strict luggage regulations under the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act.
Each ticket-holding passenger is permitted to carry one personal baggage item free of charge, subject to standard dimensions and weight boundaries:
| Parameter | Standard Network Allowance | Airport Express Line Exception |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Weight | 15 kg – 25 kg per commuter | Up to 32 kg per ticket |
| Maximum Dimensions | 60 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm | Standard international airline check-in sizes |
| Additional Luggage | Requires extra baggage ticket | Permitted within airline baggage norms |
Prohibited & Hazardous Goods
Security personnel (CISF / State Police) at station X-ray scanners will strictly confiscate any contraband or hazardous materials. Commuters carrying banned items may be barred from entry or prosecuted:
- Flammable liquids, fuel canisters, kerosene, diesel, petrol, and LPG/gas cylinders.
- Fireworks, sparklers, crackers, and explosive chemicals.
- Sharp weapons, unauthorized hunting knives, daggers, swords, and firearms/ammunition.
- Raw meat, fish without sealed leakproof packaging, wet animal skins, and dead poultry.
- Open paint cans, industrial acids, corrosive chemicals, and toxic compressed gases.
The 120-Minute Overstay & Same-Station Exit Rules
Once you tap your token or smart card at an entry turnstile, you enter the paid concourse and platform area. Metro authorities enforce maximum stay limits to curb loitering and maintain platform crowd circulation:
- Maximum Journey Stay (Different Station Exit): 120 minutes (2 hours) from the entry timestamp.
- Same-Station Entry/Exit: If you enter a station and exit the exact same station without traveling, you must exit within 20 minutes.
- Overstay Penalty: Staying beyond the permitted time incurs an overstay penalty fee (typically ₹10 per additional hour, up to a maximum of ₹100) before the turnstile releases.
Official Metro Penalty Chart & Fine Slabs
Violations of metro rules are governed by strict statutory penalties. Here are the standardized fine slabs enforced across Indian transit networks:
| Offense / Violation | Section of Metro Act | Statutory Penalty / Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Traveling without a valid ticket/token | Section 69 | ₹50 plus maximum single-journey route fare |
| Carrying offensive or hazardous goods | Section 59 | Fine up to ₹5,000 and up to 4 years imprisonment |
| Drunk and disorderly behavior / public nuisance | Section 59 | ₹500 fine and immediate forfeiture of fare/card |
| Defacing metro trains, platforms or spitting | Section 62 | Fine up to ₹500 and possible removal from premises |
| Walking on tracks or trespassing trackbed | Section 64 | Fine up to ₹1,000 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Obstructing metro doors or emergency handles | Section 67 | Fine up to ₹1,000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year |
Special Carriage Rules: Alcohol, Bicycles & Pets
Commuters frequently ask about carrying specific personal belongings. Here are the official rules:
- Alcohol: In Kolkata Metro and Bengaluru Metro, carriage of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited. In Delhi Metro, two sealed, unopened bottles of alcohol are permitted per passenger on designated routes; open alcohol is completely banned everywhere.
- Foldable Bicycles: Compact folding cycles that fit through station X-ray scanners are permitted. Full-sized non-folding cycles are not allowed, except on dedicated transit systems with cycle coaches (such as Kochi Metro).
- Pets: Animals and birds are strictly barred from entering metro stations, with exceptions granted only for certified service dogs assisting visually impaired travelers.
Lost Token & Card Replacement Penalties
Single-journey tokens remain the property of the metro authority and must be deposited into the exit gate turnstile slot to release the barrier.
If you misplace your token during transit, you will be unable to exit. You must report to the station Customer Care booth, pay the maximum route fare plus a token loss fee (₹250), and receive an exit clearance pass.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answers to frequently asked questions on Indian metro travel rules and baggage allowances.