Pune: Thefts are common on trains and at railway stations. Mobile phones, ornaments and waste from the yards are stolen on a daily basis across the country. However, even linen, bedrolls, pillow covers and towels distributed on trains are not spared. To curb their theft, Railways is planning to take back these items 30 minutes before the trains reach the destination.
According to highly placed sources at the Pune railway division, bedrolls, linen, towel and pillow cover thefts are on the rise. Taking serious note of the issue, Railways is planning to ask the coach attendant to collect linens 30 minutes before the destination. It is the coach attendant’s responsibility to note down details of items, which they distribute.
Central Railway (CR) officials said that they are facing revenue loss due to thefts of items such as blankets, hand towels, bedsheets, pillow covers and pillows. Theft of inventory worth Rs 1.37 crore in 2017-18 and Rs 95.74 lakh in the current financial year from April to August 2018 has been reported on long distance trains.
Data also revealed that from April to August 2018, in all, 17,817 hand towels (cost Rs 5.6 lakh), 1,166 bedsheets (cost Rs 2.04 lakh), 828 pillow covers (cost Rs 29,120), 275 blankets (cost Rs 1.05 lakh) and 15 pillows (cost Rs 870) went missing from AC compartments.
“This is a big loss for the Railways. It has been working actively to improve its services in order to improve passengers’ experience. Passengers steal toilet mugs, ceiling fans, bed linen, pillows and even pillow covers from trains,” said the source.
However, the division spokesperson said that they have not yet received any circular regarding this. “We have not received any circular. As and when we get it, we will publish its content,” said Manoj Kumar Jhawar.
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