Kolkata Metro starts prominent display of banned items list across stations | Read what is 'not allowed'

Kolkata Metro authorities have now prominently displayed a standardized list of prohibited items at several stations. This move aims to educate passengers who unknowingly carry restricted goods, often leading to heated arguments with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) during the scanning process.

The list of banned items is surprisingly extensive, covering everything from professional tools to everyday perishables. Security personnel noted that construction workers often carry chisels, hammers, shovels, and saws, which are strictly forbidden due to their potential as weapons. Sharp objects like swords, meat cleavers, and even scissors or knives with blades longer than four centimeters are on the restricted list. The authorities emphasized that these items often cause delays at security checkpoints when passengers try to bypass the scanners to avoid detection.

Beyond weapons and tools, the "prohibited" category includes several items that commuters might find unexpected. Carrying unsealed raw meat, fish, alcohol, spirits, or even seedlings and unsealed plants is now officially banned. Hazardous materials such as acids, radioactive substances, and flammable liquids like petroleum are strictly prohibited. The list also includes grim entries like human remains or skeletons, reinforcing that the metro is strictly for passenger transit and not for transporting specialized or hazardous cargo.

The authorities have warned that ignorance of these rules will no longer be an excuse. Carrying these prohibited items is not just a violation of station policy but a punishable offense under the law. Violators can face a fine of ₹500 and, in more serious cases involving explosives or dangerous chemicals, imprisonment for up to four years.