An RTI-based investigation has revealed the massive scale of linen theft on Indian Railways, with more than 1.27 crore bedroll items—including bedsheets, blankets, pillows, pillow covers, and face towels—reported stolen from AC coaches between January 2022 and May 2026. The thefts have resulted in estimated losses exceeding Rs 104 crore, highlighting a growing challenge for the railway network and its service contractors.
The Scale Of The Problem
Every day, millions of passengers travel in air-conditioned coaches where Indian Railways provides complimentary bedroll kits. However, a significant number of these items never make their way back after journeys.
The RTI findings indicate that linen theft has increased sharply over the past few years, with incidents rising by more than 50% since 2022. Bedsheets, blankets, towels, pillows, and pillow covers are among the most frequently stolen items.
Who Bears The Financial Loss?
While passengers may assume that Indian Railways directly bears the losses, the cost is largely absorbed by private contractors responsible for supplying and maintaining the linen. In many cases, contractors reportedly recover these losses from coach attendants, affecting the earnings of frontline railway staff.
The cumulative financial impact has crossed Rs 104 crore, making linen theft a costly operational issue.
Worst-Affected Railway Divisions
The investigation found that a handful of railway divisions account for the majority of reported thefts. Bedsheets emerged as the most commonly stolen item in several divisions, while towels, blankets, and pillow covers also recorded significant losses.
The findings suggest that the problem is widespread across multiple railway zones rather than being confined to a few routes.
Railways Planning Stronger Measures
To reduce thefts, Indian Railways is considering several preventive measures. These include increased passenger awareness, stricter monitoring, improved tracking of linen distribution, greater use of CCTV surveillance at key locations, and enhanced digital monitoring through railway systems.
Officials hope these initiatives will reduce losses while ensuring better accountability throughout the supply chain.
A Growing Operational Challenge
Linen theft not only increases operating costs but also affects the quality of service provided to passengers. Missing bedrolls create additional logistical challenges, requiring contractors to replace large quantities of linen regularly.
As Indian Railways continues modernising its passenger services, tackling this recurring issue will be essential to improving efficiency and reducing avoidable expenditure.
Summary
An RTI investigation has revealed that more than 1.27 crore linen items, including bedsheets, blankets, pillows, and towels, have been stolen from Indian Railways AC coaches since 2022, resulting in losses exceeding Rs 104 crore. The Railways is now exploring stricter monitoring, better tracking systems, and enhanced surveillance to curb theft and improve passenger services.
