Kolkata Metro runs under the Calcutta Metro Railway Act, and its prohibited-items list is stricter and more specific than most Indian metros - worth reading before you pack for a trip that involves the metro.
Baggage limit
One bag per passenger, 15 kg maximum, no larger than 60 × 45 × 25 cm. It also can't be bulky enough to obstruct the aisle or doors - so that's stricter on both weight and size than several other Indian metro systems.
What's banned
The official list (Metro Railway Kolkata, under Indian Railways) is long and specific:
- Sharp weapons - khukris, swords, meat cleavers, knives with blades over 10cm, scissors over 10cm
- Explosives, fireworks, ammunition
- Tools longer than 7 inches - axes, hammers, crowbars, saws
- Flammables - petrol, alcohol, aerosols
- Hazardous chemicals - acids, radioactive material, tear gas, compressed gases
- Offensive or organic matter - carcasses, raw meat or fish, manure, human remains
- Firearms and replica firearms
- Live animals or pet birds
The penalties are real
Carrying offensive goods can draw a fine of up to ₹500. Dangerous goods are treated far more seriously - up to 4 years imprisonment and a ₹5,000 fine, plus liability for any damage caused. This isn't a rarely-enforced technicality; Kolkata Metro's rules are written with Indian Railways-level seriousness.
Other things not allowed
No eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing paan anywhere in trains or paid areas. Don't leave baggage unattended - under the Calcutta Metro Railway Act, you're legally liable for anything you leave behind.
Bottom line
Pack light, keep it under 15 kg and within the size limit, and leave anything remotely sharp, flammable, or organic-smelling at home. Kolkata Metro enforces this list more strictly than the "keep it reasonable" vibe you might expect from other city systems.