A Right‑to‑Information probe reveals that over four years 1.27 crore linen pieces vanished from AC coaches, costing contractors roughly ₹104.5 crore. Bikaner, Ranchi and Delhi emerge as the most affected divisions.

Key Takeaways

  • 1.27 crore linen items stolen between 2022‑2026
  • Estimated loss of roughly ₹104.5 crore
  • Bikaner, Ranchi and Delhi are the most affected divisions

Every night about 8 lakh passengers travel in Indian Railways' AC coaches, each allotted a bed‑roll that includes two sheets, a blanket, a pillow, a pillow‑cover and a face towel. The service is part of the ticket price, yet an RTI investigation by the Indian Express shows that roughly one in every thousand travelers walks away with at least one of these items.

RTI‑derived statistics

Responses from 54 of the 69 railway divisions indicate that from January 2022 to May 2026 a total of 1.27 crore linen pieces were reported stolen. The theft count surged by 56 % between 2022 and 2025. Face towels topped the list with 46.54 lakh items, followed by bedsheets (41.13 lakh), pillow‑covers (23.59 lakh), blankets (12.95 lakh) and pillows (2.76 lakh).

Geographic hotspots and item‑wise breakdown

Ten divisions across seven zones account for 67 % of the total loss, with Bikaner, Ranchi, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Sonpur and Bilaspur leading the chart. Bikaner alone suffered 25.76 lakh stolen items, of which bedsheets comprised 12.42 lakh. Towels dominate theft in most divisions – Delhi (4.78 lakh, 58 % of its total), Ranchi (3.88 lakh, 42 %) and Mumbai (3.57 lakh, 44 %). Pillow‑covers are the chief target in Sonpur and Bilaspur, while blankets are most pilfered in Jodhpur.

Financial impact and railway response

The RTI data estimates that contractors have incurred a loss of about ₹104.51 crore over the four‑year period. Most of the shortfall is recovered from the wages of linen attendants, yet the added expense inflates operational costs. A Ministry of Railways spokesperson labeled the issue “of serious concern” and affirmed that anti‑theft measures are being intensified, while denying any evidence of staff collusion.

Future challenges and mitigation strategies

Beyond the monetary hit, linen theft erodes passenger confidence in a service that is meant to be hassle‑free. Deploying CCTV inside coaches, introducing RFID‑based tracking for bed‑rolls, and imposing stringent penalties could deter future pilferage. Parallel public‑awareness campaigns and tighter contractor auditing are essential to safeguard both revenue and the reputation of Indian Railways.