If you are traveling by train from Delhi today, there is an important update regarding luggage and parcels. To manage the massive crowd during the Holi festival, Northern Railway has suspended parcel booking services at three major stations in the national capital. This restriction is strictly enforced to ensure more space on platforms for passengers boarding trains. The ban on parcel booking is effective until today, March 3, 2026, after which normal services are expected to resume.
Affected Stations and Platforms
The railway authorities have identified specific areas where the passenger rush is highest. Consequently, the ban applies to all types of parcel bookings, including leased SLRs, at specific platforms. According to the Northern Railway notification, the restrictions are currently active at the following locations:
- New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS): Parcel handling is stopped on platforms 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, and 15.
- Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT): Operations are suspended on platforms 2 and 3.
- Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM): Parcel booking is halted at both ends of the platforms.
This measure ensures that these busy platforms remain clear for the movement of passengers and prevents congestion caused by commercial goods.
Rules for Luggage and Platform Tickets
While commercial parcels are banned, passengers are permitted to carry their personal belongings inside the train coaches. The administration has clarified that registered newspapers and magazines are exempt from this ban if they meet safety checks. Additionally, to control the crowd on platforms, the sale of platform tickets has been stopped at five major stations. This includes New Delhi, Old Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Anand Vihar, and Delhi Sarai Rohilla. This rule helps ensure that only valid travelers enter the boarding area during peak festival hours.