Prayagraj Junction To Adopt Airport Style Passenger System
Indian Railways is preparing for a radical transformation in passenger experience with airport-style baggage checks, stricter entry protocols and modernised station infrastructure, starting with Prayagraj Junction. The move, officials say, is designed to ease congestion, enhance safety and introduce global standards of comfort as India’s busiest stations undergo large-scale redevelopment.
Under the proposed framework, luggage carried by passengers will be mandatorily screened through electronic weighing systems at select stations. Strict weight limits, varying by travel class, will be enforced. Passengers exceeding the permissible load or carrying oversized bags will be required to pay additional charges. Authorities emphasise that this is not merely a revenue exercise but a measure to ensure safe, smooth and equitable travel on long-distance routes.
The class-wise baggage entitlements reflect an attempt to balance comfort and practicality: 70 kg for AC First Class, 50 kg for AC Two Tier, 40 kg for AC Three Tier and Sleeper Class, and 35 kg for General Class. Importantly, oversized luggage will invite penalties even if within weight limits, a step aimed at preventing obstruction in coaches and enhancing passenger mobility.
The model rollout is set to begin across the North Central Railway zone, including Prayagraj Junction, Prayagraj Chheoki, Subedarganj, Kanpur Central, Mirzapur, Tundla, Aligarh Junction, Govindpuri and Etawah. Access to platforms will be restricted to ticket holders whose baggage has been cleared, while visitors will require a platform ticket rebranded as a visitor pass. At the centre of this transformation is Prayagraj Junction, a station currently undergoing redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme with an investment of nearly ₹960 crore. Once complete, it will showcase a nine-storey terminal with world-class amenities ranging from large waiting lounges and automated ticket vending systems to high-speed Wi-Fi, solar-powered infrastructure and rainwater harvesting. Digital display systems will streamline passenger information, while divyang-friendly facilities are being integrated into the design.
From December 2026, Prayagraj Junction will fully adopt the new entry system, where a train ticket will function as a boarding pass, bringing the railway travel experience in line with aviation protocols. Officials describe the initiative as a long-term model, with Kanpur and Gwalior among the stations expected to follow suit. Urban mobility experts suggest the move reflects a wider rethinking of Indian Railways’ role in sustainable city building. Stations are being repositioned not just as transport nodes but as civic spaces that are safer, greener and more accessible. Premium single-brand outlets for retail, modernised lounges and upgraded ticketing systems are expected to generate additional revenue while raising the passenger experience closer to international standards.
The transformation of Prayagraj holds special significance ahead of upcoming religious gatherings such as Kumbh and Maha Kumbh, where footfall is expected to multiply. Officials stress that introducing discipline in baggage handling and entry protocols will be vital in managing such massive crowds effectively. By tightening regulations and adopting sustainable station designs, Railways is signalling its intent to align mass travel with future-ready standards. Whether passengers embrace the stricter norms remains to be seen, but the ambition to create safer, cleaner and more equitable public spaces is evident.
