Indian Railways and the sports ministry are working on a sports equipment policy aimed at making train travel easier for athletes carrying bulky gear. The proposed rules will set clear norms on how items such as poles and specialised kits can be transported, following recent disputes over luggage handling, as per a report by The Indian Express.
The move follows a Rajahmundry incident where three athletes jumped from a moving train to protect their pole vault equipment. The case highlighted confusion over how costly sports gear should be carried on passenger trains, and raised questions about staff conduct towards sportspersons using long-distance services.
Sports Ministry & Indian Railways Discuss New Equipment Policy
Discussions between Indian Railways officials and the sports ministry are underway to frame
the sports equipment policy. According to The Indian Express, departments have started consultations with athletes and other stakeholders. The goal is to understand the dimensions, type and value of sports gear, and then align railway rules with athletes' regular travel needs.
A sports ministry source told The Indian Express, "Following an earlier incident at the start of the year, of pole vault athletes having difficulty in boarding a train with their equipment, the sports ministry had asked the railway ministry to find a solution. The sports ministry is hopeful that rules for transporting sports equipment will be notified soon," reflecting expectations of formal guidelines.
What Happened In Rajahmundry?
The Rajahmundry episode involved five track and field athletes returning to Salem from Bhubaneswar after the Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition. The group included three pole vaulters and two heptathletes. They carried eight poles, each reportedly valued at over a lakh of rupees, which made conventional storage inside the coach difficult.
Because of a crowded coach, the athletes secured the long poles to the train windows using ropes. At Rajahmundry station in Andhra Pradesh, a passenger objected to the arrangement, and a Railway Police Force official then cut the ropes. As the train started to move, the freed poles slid off and dropped onto the track beside the platform.
Fearing that the equipment might roll under another train and snap, U20 Federation Cup champion Kavinraja jumped from the moving coach. Two teammates followed and together recovered all eight poles without damage. The athletes later alleged that the railway staff spoke rudely and tried to demand money for carrying the large equipment on board.
Railways Review Rules After Athlete Incident
Rajahmundry was not the first conflict involving athletes' gear and railway regulations. Earlier this year, national record holder Kuldeep Kumar and then-national record holder Dev Meena were reportedly asked to get off a train at Panvel station while travelling to Madhya Pradesh with pole vault equipment. That case reached sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
The Panvel matter prompted initial talks on creating a sports equipment policy for Indian Railways passengers. A railway official told The Indian Express, "The issue of carrying sports equipment has come to the attention of the railway administration. Proactive action is being taken. Because it is a sports-related issue, the railways are in touch with the sports ministry to address policy issues and had to get details like the equipment size, what kind of equipment, etc," outlining the coordination underway.
Staff Guidelines Support Indian Railways Sports Equipment Policy
Alongside long-term policy work, Central Railway has issued instructions to frontline staff on dealing with athletes. One internal communication acknowledged, "It has been observed that sportspersons frequently travel by train while carrying sports equipment of large size and dimensions, such as kits, bags, poles, specialised gear, etc., for participation in National and state level championships. " This note recognised that such items are a routine part of competitive travel.
The same letter directed personnel to be respectful, stating, "In this regard, all are advised to maintain a polite, courteous and considerate approach while dealing with such passengers. Their equipment, though bulky, is essential for participation in the competitions and should be handled with understanding. While ensuring compliance with railway rules regarding luggage, staff must avoid rude behaviour or harassment. Special care should be taken to uphold the image of Indian Railways as a passenger-friendly organisation," and also echoed the earlier reminder to remain 'polite and courteous'.
Officials hope that a clear Indian Railways sports equipment policy, together with these behaviour guidelines, will help prevent disputes like those at Rajahmundry and Panvel. The planned rules are expected to clarify how costly gear can be carried within existing luggage norms, while instructions to staff aim to reduce harassment complaints from athletes travelling for competitions.
