Bags forgotten on local trains are rarely found

80% of lost belongings are not recovered, show data released by the Government Railway Police’s helpline

February 11, 2017 11:58 pm | Updated 11:58 pm IST - Mumbai:

Nearly 80% of the belongings forgotten by passengers on local trains are not recovered, show data released by the Government Railway Police’s helpline.

So far this year, 1,552 calls were received complaining of forgotten bags, but only 386 bags containing items worth ₹18 lakh were recovered. Similarly, in 2016, 12,921 bags were lost and just 2,783 were recovered; while in 2015, 11,707 were lost and only 2,240 were recovered.

The helpline number 9833331111 — launched on November 8, 2008, by then Home Minister R.R. Patil — receives 500 calls every day. A staff member said, “We try our best to resolve all the complaints of our callers. The calls that are outside our jurisdiction are forwarded to the authorities concerned.”

In 2015, the recovered goods included 135 laptops worth ₹52 lakh, 100 mobile phones worth ₹7.5 lakh, 684 gm of gold of worth ₹13 lakh and other items worth ₹90 lakh. In 2016, the recovered goods included 206 laptops worth ₹80 lakh, 205 mobile phones worth ₹20 lakh, 953.6 gm of gold worth ₹26 lakh, a total of ₹20 lakh in cash and other articles worth ₹60 lakh.

Every day, 77 lakh people travel on local trains on Mumbai’s Central, Western and Harbour Lines. Apart from the railway police helpline, passengers can register complaints at the Railway Protection Force’s helpline number: 182. While some passengers have been lucky to get back their bags, others are still awaiting word from the police.

Sumit Pandey, who lost his bag while travelling from Kandivali to Nallasopara on the Western Line, says, “I realised I forgot my bag immediately after I got down at Nallasopara. My wife suggested that we call the helpline and we registered a complaint. Meanwhile, I received a call from a person asking my location to return the bag. I feel lucky to get back my bag. It contained a MacBook and other valuables.”

Shailesh Salunkhe, a college student who was travelling from Bhandup to Dadar on the Central Line, forgot a bag full of saris and gold ornaments. “I immediately contacted the helpline and after sometime I received a call for verification.”

Sundari Iyer, a media professional, lost her camera worth Rs. 2 lakh while travelling from Vasai Raod to Churchgate. “I filed a complaint with the railway police and the helpline number, but I haven’t received any news of it yet.”

A railway police official says, “Such cases mostly take place in first class compartments owing to a mix-up with similar-looking bags.” Railway officials say that articles worth crores often go missing from local trains despite repeated announcements and drives asking passengers to be on guard while travelling.

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