Can You Carry Sealed Liquor Bottles On Trains? What The Rules Say

In India, millions of people travel by train daily, often with various types of luggage. The railways have set rules regarding this, particularly when it comes to carrying alcohol. If you're planning to bring alcohol on your train journey, it's essential to understand these rules to avoid any complications.

Although the Indian railways themselves don’t have clear guidelines regarding alcohol, state laws on alcohol consumption and transport play a crucial role. Whether you can carry alcohol on a train depends on the rules of both the state you are departing from and your destination. Each state has its own excise laws, and these can vary significantly.

If you're travelling from a state where alcohol is legally available and the destination state doesn’t have an alcohol ban, you generally don’t need to worry. However, there are limits on how much you can carry. Typically, passengers are allowed to carry one or two bottles of alcohol, with a maximum limit of 750ml per bottle, provided the bottles are sealed and you have a valid purchase receipt. Carrying more than the allowed limit is usually illegal and may require a licence or proof of purchase.

States with Alcohol Bans: In certain states, such as Bihar, Gujarat, Nagaland, and Mizoram, alcohol is banned entirely. In these states, carrying alcohol, even in a sealed bottle, is considered a criminal offence. If you’re caught carrying alcohol in these areas, you could face both fines and imprisonment.

Penalties for Violating Alcohol Rules: If you are found carrying alcohol beyond the allowed limit, fines ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 25,000 can be imposed. Additionally, drinking alcohol on the train is also a punishable offence, with penalties including fines and possible imprisonment.

Before carrying alcohol on a train, it's essential to check the rules for both the departure and destination states. Understanding local excise laws and the railway guidelines will help you avoid any legal trouble during your journey.