According to the investigation, bedroll thefts increased by 56 percent between 2022 and 2025, reflecting a sharp rise in the disappearance of essential passenger amenities. The missing items included towels, bedsheets, and blankets supplied in air-conditioned coaches for passenger use.
The financial impact has extended beyond the railway system, falling heavily on coach attendants responsible for managing the linen inventory. Salary deductions are imposed for missing items, with attendants losing ₹250 to ₹300 for every missing bedsheet and ₹700 for every missing blanket. Among those affected is coach attendant Amit Yadav, who lost ₹5,000 from his monthly salary of ₹15,000 last year because of missing bedroll items.
In response to the escalating losses, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw directed the implementation of corrective measures aimed at preventing further thefts. The measures include introducing QR codes on linen items for improved tracking, expanding the use of closed-circuit television surveillance, and strengthening monitoring through the Coach Mitra application.
The investigation also highlighted positive examples from parts of the railway network. Railway divisions in Tamil Nadu and Kerala reported zero cases of bedroll theft, demonstrating that effective monitoring and management systems can significantly reduce such incidents.
The findings underscore the financial damage caused by large-scale thefts within Indian Railways while drawing attention to the disproportionate burden borne by frontline employees. The introduction of technology-driven monitoring and stronger surveillance is expected to play a critical role in protecting railway assets, reducing financial losses, and safeguarding the livelihoods of coach attendants.
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