Central Railway Has Announced Revision In Porterage Charges, Which Will Come Into Effect From June 1; Check Details Inside

The Central Railway has announced revision in porterage charges, which will come into effect from June 1, 2025. This change aligns with new guidelines issued by the Railway Board and is intended to bring uniformity and clarity in porter service pricing across stations. Under the revised structure, the charge for carrying head loads—defined as luggage up to 40 kg—has been standardized based on station category.

At large and medium stations, including key hubs like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Dadar, Thane, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Kalyan, Pune, and Nagpur, the cost per trip per head load has been fixed at Rs 100. These stations are categorized under the NSG-1 classification and are considered large stations. At smaller stations, the corresponding rate has been set at Rs 80 per trip.

Waiting time charges have also been streamlined. Passengers will not be charged for the first 30 minutes of porter service. However, after this grace period, a waiting charge of Rs 100 will apply for every subsequent 30 minutes or part thereof at large and medium stations. At small stations, the waiting charge for the same duration is Rs 80.

In addition to standard porterage, a new fixed charge of Rs 100 has been introduced for porter services between Dadar Central and Dadar Western stations. This rate applies regardless of the direction of travel and ensures consistent pricing for inter-station transfer services.

For transporting heavier luggage, the cost of using wheeled barrows—suitable for loads up to 160 kg—has been set at Rs 150 per trip. This rate remains the same whether the porter uses a 2- wheeled or 4- wheeled barrow.

Special assistance provisions have been made for sick or disabled passengers to enhance inclusivity. The fee for assistance using a wheeled chair or stretcher carried by two persons is Rs150. When four persons are required to carry the stretcher, the charge will be  Rs 200 from June 1st, which is currently Rs 205.

The existing porterage rate at major stations is Rs. 85 per head load, while at medium stations it is Rs. 80, and at small stations, it is Rs. 75. Waiting charges, after the initial grace period of 30 minutes, are the same as the head load charges—Rs. 85 at major stations, Rs. 80 at medium stations, and Rs. 75 at small stations. From Dadar Central to Dadar Western, the existing applicable porterage charge is Rs. 85.

Similarly, for transporting heavier luggage, porters may use wheeled barrows capable of carrying loads up to 160 kg. The existing charge for using either a two-wheeled or a four-wheeled barrow is Rs. 135 per trip, with no differentiation based on the type of barrow used.

In cases where assistance is required for disabled or sick passengers, the existing charge for using a wheelchair or a stretcher carried by two persons is Rs. 150. However, if the situation demands that four persons carry the stretcher, the applicable charge is Rs. 205.