A recent report revealed that 12.7 million linen items were stolen from Indian Railways' AC coaches over four years. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has ordered swift reforms under the 52‑week initiative to curb the loss.

Key Takeaways

  • 12.7 million linen items stolen in four years
  • Minister demands immediate action under 52 reforms
  • Possible grant of arrest powers to RPF among several options

Indian Railways is confronting a surge in linen theft from its air‑conditioned coaches, with an estimated 12.7 million bedroll pieces reported missing between January 2022 and May 2026. The figure, disclosed by the Indian Express, prompted Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to call for rapid corrective measures during a press conference on the “52 reforms in 52 weeks” programme.

Scale of the Problem and Financial Impact

Each bedroll comprises two sheets, a blanket, a pillow, a pillow cover, and a face towel. Since the full resumption of bedroll services after the pandemic, the theft rate has risen sharply, showing a 56 % increase from 2022 to 2025. Contractors estimate the cumulative loss at roughly ₹104.51 crore, a sum that is largely being deducted from the salaries of coach attendants hired to distribute the linen.

Railway’s Immediate Response and Proposed Solutions

Officials sent applications to all 69 railway divisions and received replies from 54 divisions spanning 16 of the 18 zones. Data analysis highlighted that ten divisions across seven zones account for 67 % of all linen thefts. In response, the Ministry is evaluating a suite of measures, chief among them granting the Railway Protection Force (RPF) the authority to arrest offenders and to inspect suspicious passengers’ luggage when linen is not returned.

Legal Framework and Past Initiatives

Under the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act, theft of railway linens is a non‑bailable offence. The Railway Board had already, in September 2015, instructed linen distribution staff to request passengers hand over used linen at least 30 minutes before de‑boarding, and to monitor repeat offenders with counselling, training, and penalties.

Future Roadmap

Current mitigation largely relies on counselling bedroll attendants to stay vigilant, monitor linen closely, and ensure prompt collection. However, Minister Vaishnaw emphasized that “the issue is complex and will require wider consultation,” signalling that more decisive, deterrent‑focused actions will be rolled out as part of the 52‑week reform agenda.