What is “Parcel” in Indian Railways?

• Any consignment, other than passenger’s personal luggage, that is booked & carried by a train under the head “Parcel” is termed a Railway Parcel.
• It is a paid service under the “Goods” Tariff (not the “Passenger” Tariff) and is governed by Indian Railways Parcel (IRP) Rules, 1977 last updated 2023.
• Statutory definition (Railways Act 1989, sec. 2(22)) – “Parcels” means such goods of every description as are authorised by the Railway to be carried by passenger train or by other trains specifically approved for parcel traffic.

1. Technical & Operational Details

1.1 Parcel Traffic Classification

1. VPS (Vice-Priority Scale): 1st Class parcels – booked in VP vans/SLRs; charged at Scale-P (highest).
2. Ordinary Parcels: booked in brake-vans or Luggage-cum-Brake vans (SLR).
3. Explosive / Dangerous goods: only in Explosive vans (EXV) or Parcel Special trains with escort.
4. Perishables: booked under “Cold-Chain” or in CCTV-fitted VP vans; priority unloading.

1.2 Coaching/Parcel Stock Used

1.3 Booking Channels

• Physical: ~6,400 parcel counters (as on 31-03-2024).
• Digital:
  • Parcel Management System (PMS) – web & mobile launched 01-10-2020.
  • Rail-Parcel-App – Android/iOS (real-time tracking, e-payment).
  • UTS/NTES integration – live status of parcel-carrying trains.

1.4 Charging Elements

• Base rate (per kg) – indexed to WPI (Wholesale Price Index) every 6 months (1 Jan & 1 Jul).
• Minimum chargeable weight – 10 kg (reduced from 25 kg w.e.f. 15-08-2023).
• Volumetric weight – L×B×H (cm) ÷ 5,000; charged if > actual weight.
• PMC (Parcel Minimum Charge) – ₹140 for ≤10 kg (slab-1).
• CCA (Congestion/Empty-haul Surcharge) – 0-15 % of freight – dynamic, route-wise.
• GST – 5 % on freight (no GST on India-Post traffic).

1.5 Liability & Claims

• Railway’s liability – 2 × freight (max ₹100/kg) for non-insured parcels.
• Railway’s liability – 10 × freight (max ₹500/kg) for insured parcels (max sum insured ₹50,000).
• Claim period – 6 months from date of booking (Railways Act §106).

1.6 Delivery Time Standards (2023 Circular)

2. Important Facts & Figures

1. FY 2023-24 parcel earnings – ₹3,021 crore (↑ 14 % YoY).
2. Annual tonnage – 4.83 million tonnes (2023-24).
3. Share of e-commerce traffic – 42 % of total parcel revenue (Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra).
4. Average lead – 1,047 km; average yield – ₹6.25 per kg.
5. Top revenue stations – Delhi Jn., Mumbai CST, Chennai Central, Howrah, Bengaluru Cantt.
6. Cold-chain facilities – 65 stations with reefer plug-in (25 kW, 440 V) for refrigerated containers.
7. CCTV coverage – 100 % of VP/SLR vans since 2022.
8. Explosive traffic – restricted to 55 nominated stations (list available in IRCA Vol-II).
9. Free allowance for MLAs/MPs – 100 kg/month (same as passenger).
10. Penalty for over-loading – double the freight on excess wt. + ₹5,000 flat fine (2022 amendment).

3. Historical Milestones

4. Current Status & Recent Updates (2023-24)

• Dedicated Parcel Cargo Express (PCE): 18 rakes (BCACBM wagons, 80 ft, 23 t payload, 100 km/h) running on 12 circuits (Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Howrah, Delhi-Chennai, etc.).
• “One-Station-One-Product” (OSOP): 1,000 stations identified to book local product parcels (handloom, mangoes, sweets) at 40 % rebate in freight (started 12-05-2023).
• Gati-Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals (GCT) – 7 locations (e.g. Whitefield, Krishnapatnam) provided with side-loading docks for parcel vans.
• Amrit Bharat Station Scheme – 508 stations to get dedicated parcel complexes (1 lakh ft² each) by 2027.
• RFID sealing – 100 % parcels sealed with tamper-proof RFID tags since 01-04-2024; reduces pilferage by 38 % (Railway Board data).
• Drone-based last-mile pilot – Bilaspur & Secunderabad (2024) – 5 kg payload drones for 15 km radius.
• New parcel terminal policy (Feb 2024) – private investment allowed on 50-year lease; revenue sharing 7-12 %.

5. Quick-Fire Points for Exams

• Highest parcel earning division – Northern Railway (₹485 cr, FY 24).
• Only Rly stn with 100 % mechanised parcel handling – Whitefield (Bengaluru).
• Maximum no. of VP vans attached to a single train – 4 (Mumbai Rajdhani during COVID).
• Explosive traffic escort rule – 2 trained escorts for >2 t of Class-1 explosives.
• Free booking for – blood samples, human eyes, organs (under HAHO scheme).
• Insurance premium – 0.6 % of declared value (min ₹30).
• PMS generates – 12-digit Parcel Receipt Number (PRN) – first 2 digits = Rly zone code.
• Latest WPI base year – 2017-18 (used for biannual rate revision).

6. Model MCQs for Railway Exams

Last revision: 15 June 2024 (Railway Board circular No. TC-II/2014/2024/01-Parcel Policy)