When it comes to transferring your Motorbike from one place to another through Indian Railways, most of the people have no clue about how to get it done. And people who knows a bit of it, thinks that “Getting your bike transferred via Indian railways is the worst pain in the ass”.And then end up paying double amount to Private movers and packers.And most of this type of cases end up bad..with lots of damages to the bike
Well,I found Indian Railways to be most cheapest and safest way to transfer your bike with least hassle.Only if you know. how to crack the entire thing. This post is to make everyone familiar about processes we have in place.
Pack it Right-Pack it Tight
You can transfer your bike as a luggage or as a parcel.
Parcel Receipt
- How can I do parcel booking of my bike ?
Parcel booking is done between office hours.For example – 10 AM to 6 PM etc.And claim of the bike can be made in the office hours ONLY at the destination.Below are the simple steps to get it done.
1) Carry a photo copy of your bikes Registration card which should be on your name and a photo copy of your identity card (ex – Licence,passport,aadhar card etc)
2) Once you reach the parcel office,you will find many peoples/agents asking you to do the entire booking for you.Do not fall into the trap and end up paying extra money..just ask them for packing charges and do use your bargaining skills.In most of the big cities like Delhi,Pune,Mumbai,Banglore..cost of packing varies from 200-400.Not more than that.
3) Make sure the fuel tank is empty,at some cities like Pune,Mumbai..Its taken bit seriously.They do check the tank properly when you claim it at the destination
4) Go to the parcel counter and take the parcel form.Fill up the basic details like Who is sending,senders address,who is claiming, receivers address,detail of the bike
5) Apart from these basic details you have to write “Empty Tank” and “Current Cost of the bike” at the empty area available in the form.Make sure you declare less value for the bike,as 10 % of the declared value is charged as insurance fees.I have never declared it more than ’10,000’.Saves a lot of money.
6) Sign the form,provide your mobile number and submit at the parcel counter.Pay the parcel amount and He will give you a receipt which you have to use at the destination to claim the bike.
Once all this is done,its Indian railways responsibility to get your bike loaded in the train.Your bike might not get loaded in the train of your choice because most of the time Parcel compartments comes jam packed.There were couple of cases for me where my bike got delayed for 2 days.So,plan ahead if you need your bike on time.
NOTE:- Bike parcel booking is not done from Hazrat Nizamuddin station.Only luggage booking is done.Here is a note present at the entry gate of Hazrat Nizamuddin Parcel office
- How can I do Luggage booking of my bike ?
For booking bike as a luggage,you should be having a confirmed ticket on the train in which you want to take it as a luggage.Usually luggage booking starts 2-3 hours before train departure.If you have a confirmed ticket than you can book your bike as Luggage at any time and claim your bike at anytime.When I say anytime,it means..even in the midnight.But make sure,in case of booking you get your bike packed in the evening,as the packing guys are not available in the night time and early morning time.Then repeat the 6 steps I had mentioned in the Parcel booking query.In some stations you will find two different counters for luggage booking and parcel booking.For example Pune station has two different counter for Luggage and parcel booking.Jaipur station has 1 counter which does both booking.
There had been some cases where,even if you book it as a luggage bike is not loaded in the same train with you.Its obvious,it happens due to the space crunch in the parcel van.This usually happens when train is originating from some other station,rather than the station from where you have booked the bike.
- How to claim my bike once it has reached destination ?
Check at the platform if your bike has arrived or not.Go to the parcel/luggage office and provide them the Builty receipt.They will give you the gate pass.Once the gate pass is received you can pick up your bike yourself and exit through the parcel office gate.Last check point is the GRPF post.Do not remove the packing until the GRPF check post.They usually check your gate pass and petrol tank is empty or not.If your bike has arrived earlier and if it is sitting more than 12 hours at the parcel office parking.They imply some fine and parking charges on hourly basis.As far as I remember it was 1 Rs for 50 Kg per hour.
- Where all I need to shell out money in the entire process ?
Generic Expense
Pay the price for packing
Pay the price for Parcel/Luggage
Bribe/Expense you should resist/avoid
Once your booking is done,they mark your bike with the builty number and other details.Sometimes they ask for money.Do not pay them
When you claim your bike and take out to the GRPF check post,they try to make some money by checking petrol and making you nervous.I would say act accordingly,because they can get you into deep shit if they found out that the there is petrol in your tank.So act accordingly.
When you bike reaches platform,it is upto you to take your bike outside by yourself or hire someone.There will be couple of people who will try to approach for the same.So either ask your way our..save some bucks or hire someone
At the GRPF gates people also try to make some quick bucks by removing the bike packing.Again upto you.
Feel free to shoot me any query at beruoist@gmail.com
Cheers
Biru
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