- Indian Railways allows passengers to carry up to 20 kg of ghee if securely packed in a tin
- Oil-based items like oil, ghee, and paints are restricted due to leakage and fire risks
- Leaking oily substances can damage belongings, cause slippery floors, and pose safety hazards
Train journeys in India are often packed with more than just passengers. Families carry homemade snacks, regional delicacies, pickles, sweets and even tins of pure desi ghee for relatives across the country.
While packing food for a long rail trip feels completely normal, Indian Railways has specific baggage rules for certain items. One such lesser-known regulation applies to ghee, with passengers allowed to carry only up to 20 kg.
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The Indian Railways website states that oily items like oil, ghee and paints are generally not allowed as luggage. However, up to 20 kg of ghee is permitted if it is securely packed in a tin and carried by the passenger. The site also lists other articles that are not accepted as luggage, such as explosive or dangerous articles, empty gas cylinders, dry leaves, dead poultry, acids and corrosive substances.
Why Are Oily Items Not Allowed On Trains?
Indian Railways guidelines classify oil-based substances like oil, paint and ghee as sensitive items. Leakage can cause safety and hygiene problems inside coaches. Oil-based products are prone to spilling during travel, especially at high speeds.
Any leakage can damage other passengers' belongings, make floors slippery, and in some cases, pose fire risks. The website advises passengers to use leak-proof containers and avoid carrying liquids or semi-liquids that are not securely packed.
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Additional Luggage Guidelines
The website states that certain items passengers typically use during travel are allowed free of charge on top of the standard luggage allowance and will not be weighed.
For AC First Class and First Class ticket holders, the free items include a tiffin basket, including small ice boxes, small handbags or attaché cases, walking sticks and umbrellas. For Second Class passengers, walking sticks, umbrellas and food items needed for the journey are allowed free of charge and will not be weighed.
