With a view to maximize utilization of un-utilized parcel space in Brake Vans(SLRs) of various Mail/Express trains, scheme for lease SLRs for parcel traffic was introduced by Ministry of Railways in November 1991. This scheme is applicable to the passenger trains. Under this scheme Parcel Space including SLR and Parcel Van is leased out the registered lease holders through tenders. This scheme is covered by the comprehensive parcel policy 2014. Prospective lease holders are required to get themselves registered with the concerned division/zonal railway head quarter in order to participate in leasing tenders. Registration will be done division-wise/zone-wise. In case a lease holder wishes to participate in tenders floated by different divisions then he must get himself registered separately in each division. In case a lease holder wishes to participate in tenders floated by zonal railways headquarter, then he must get himself registered separately at zonal headquarters. For leasing of parcel space of the compartment of brake vans (SLR) there will be four types of lease, depending upon the duration of the lease contract.. These are classified as below,

To enable major parcel loading parties to plan their logistics in a better way, advance indenting of parcel space in SLRs, Parcel Vans attached to passenger carrying trains, and time table Parcel Special Trains are allowed. Advance indenting of Parcel Vans to be attached to passenger carrying trains and time tabled Parcel Special trains are permitted 120 days in advance subject to payment of Wagon Registration Fee.

The advance booking of space in SLRs, Parcel Vans (non indented) attached in passenger carrying trains, and time tabled parcel special trains shall be permitted 120 days in advance subject to payment of 10% of the total freight by the customer at the time of booking. Balance payment (90%) of the freight shall be ensured at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure of the train- failing which the advance booking will be cancelled and advance freight will be forfeited.

Half (50%) of the advance freight shall be refunded in case the booking is cancelled at least 72 hours before the scheduled departure of the train. However, there shall be no refund if the cancellation is done after the deadline of the 72 hour before the scheduled departure. In case of railways failure to provide parcel space in train on account of cancellation of train or for any other reason, full advance shall be refunded to the party.

Small commodities – households or of business purposes are carried in coaching stock, which is attached in passenger carrying trains, Mail/Exp. or Passenger. Consignments are loaded in SLRs, where Guard cabin is housed and in Parcel vans, popularly known as VPUs. When parcels are in plenty for a destination, special parcel trains are run like other coaching trains. Usually the parcels are loaded in SLRs in piece-meals or smalls, which are loaded and unloaded by Railways.

The consignor(sender) fills the details of the parcel along with the other requirements on the forwarding note and hand over the parcel along with the forwarding note to the Parcel clerk in the outward section of the parcel office.

The consignor fills the details of the parcel along with the other requirements on the forwarding note and hand over the parcel along with the forwarding note to the Parcel clerk in the outward section of the parcel office.

The personal effects of a passenger which are normally required in the course of travel and immediately thereafter alone will be booked as luggage. Some bulky articles, offensive goods, explosives, and dangerous goods will not be booked as luggage. General merchandise, and heavy articles in considerable quantity intended for commercial business shall not be accepted as luggage and should be booked as parcels.

Each passenger is allowed a free allowance up to which he can carry luggage with him in the compartment, free of cost. The free allowance varies for different classes of travel. Children aged 5 and below 12 years are allowed half of the free allowance subject to the maximum of 50kg. You are also permitted a marginal allowance. There is a maximum ceiling on the luggage which can be carried inside the compartment for each class. These are indicated in the table below.

Newspaper firms having regular newspaper parcels traffic for booking by rail, may be granted the facility of paying freight charges through monthly bills on the weight carried to different stations. Firms wishing to avail of this facility will deposit with the railway administration a sum equivalent to two months average freight transaction by way of security deposit.

This amount will be subject to revision when on later date it is found that the freight charges exceeded the deposit held.

No PW Bill will be issued, but distribution list will be prepared separately for each train. Parcels will be tendered at the forwarding station not less than half an hour before the scheduled departure of train.

Firm will prepare distribution list in four copies for each train and deliver the station staff at any time not less than four hours before due departure of the train.

If parcels are presented less than half an hour before the schedule departure of the train, the staff will give a remark on the distribution list "too late to check" and refuse it to the press.

Test checking of weighment will be done by the railway representative in the firms periodically as per extent rules.

The monthly ledger accounts cum bill will be sent to the News paper firm not later than third of the following month to which it relates and payment to be made with in three days of its presentation