Railways to tackle theft of 1.27 crore linen items from AC coaches
The Indian Railways is working on reforms to prevent large-scale theft of linen from air-conditioned coaches, following a report that nearly 1.27 crore bedroll items were stolen over four years.
On Tuesday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw referred to a report by The Indian Express during a press conference on the '52 reforms in 52 weeks' initiative. He directed senior officials to present a timeline for addressing the issue.
Officials requested two months to formalise a solution. The thefts occurred between January 2022, when bedroll services fully resumed after the pandemic, and May 2026. A standard bedroll includes two bedsheets, a blanket, a pillow, a pillow cover, and a face towel.
The minister's intervention highlights the government's focus on improving service quality and reducing losses in railway operations. Further details on the proposed measures are expected within the next two months.
