Railways Plans Strict Action to Curb AC Coach Linen Theft

Indian Railways faces a significant operational crisis as new reports confirm that at least 1.27 crore linen items were stolen from AC coaches between January 2022 and May 2026. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has officially directed top officials to implement urgent reforms to address this persistent issue, which has seen a 56% increase in incidents over the past four years. The financial burden of these thefts, estimated at Rs 104.51 crore, primarily impacts the contractors responsible for bedroll maintenance, often resulting in salary deductions for coach attendants.

The high rate of theft stems from difficulties in tracking passenger luggage and the rapid, high-volume turnover of linen in coaches. Railway officials are now consulting on potential structural changes under the ongoing 52 reforms in 52 weeks initiative to discourage the removal of government property. Current protocols, which rely on counselling passengers and vigilant monitoring by staff, have proven insufficient to stop the loss of bedsheets, blankets, and pillows across 54 railway divisions.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is now considering tougher enforcement, including potential authority to arrest offenders and conduct luggage searches in cases of suspected theft. Because the theft of railway property is a non-bailable offence under current legislation, the ministry aims to leverage existing legal frameworks to act as a deterrent. Officials have requested a two-month window to formalize these new protocols. The ultimate success of these measures will depend on balancing security concerns with passenger convenience and the practical realities of long-distance rail travel in India.