New Delhi: The theft of bedroll items provided to passengers travelling in air-conditioned coaches has emerged as a major administrative and financial challenge for Indian Railways. According to data obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, at least 1.27 crore bedroll items were stolen from trains across the country between January 2022 and May 2026. The stolen items included bedsheets, blankets, towels, pillows and pillow covers. The losses have cost contractors supplying bedrolls to Indian Railways approximately ₹104.51 crore. The Ministry of Railways has expressed concern over the rising trend and indicated that stricter monitoring and enforcement measures will be implemented to curb such thefts.
Indian Railways carries millions of passengers every day, with those travelling in AC First Class, AC Two-Tier and AC Three-Tier coaches receiving complimentary bedroll kits as part of their ticket fare. These kits include a bedsheet, blanket, pillow, pillow cover and towel. However, the persistent theft of these items has resulted in substantial financial losses for both the Railways and its contracted service providers.
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Information was sought under the RTI Act from all 69 divisions across 18 railway zones, of which 54 divisions from 16 zones responded. The data revealed that at least 1.27 crore bedroll items went missing between January 2022 and May 2026. Railway authorities believe that the majority of these thefts were committed by passengers travelling in AC coaches. Officials further stated that such incidents increased by nearly 56 percent between 2022 and 2025. Bedroll services had resumed in January 2022 after being suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the available records, the highest number of thefts was reported from ten railway divisions, including Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaipur in Rajasthan, Ranchi in Jharkhand, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad in Gujarat, Sonpur and Danapur in Bihar, and Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh. Together, these ten divisions accounted for nearly 67 percent of all reported bedroll thefts. Category-wise data showed that Bikaner recorded the highest theft of bedsheets, Delhi topped towel thefts, Sonpur reported the highest number of stolen pillow covers, while Jodhpur recorded the highest blanket thefts.
Contractors responsible for supplying bedrolls to Indian Railways have stated that the financial burden of these thefts often falls on their employees. According to coach attendants, the cost of missing linen is frequently recovered from their salaries, causing additional financial hardship and growing dissatisfaction among frontline staff responsible for distributing and collecting the bedroll kits.
Not all railway divisions, however, have reported similar trends. The Tiruchirappalli and Palakkad divisions of Southern Railway did not record a single incident of bedroll theft during the period under review. Similarly, the Adra division of South Eastern Railway also reported no such cases, although it primarily handles freight operations and does not operate AC passenger coaches. Railway officials believe that stronger monitoring systems and greater passenger awareness have contributed significantly to the better record of divisions where no thefts have been reported.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Railways described bedroll theft as a serious misuse of public property and said the issue is being addressed at multiple levels. The Ministry clarified that no concrete evidence has so far established the involvement of railway employees in these thefts. Authorities are now focusing on strengthening surveillance, increasing passenger awareness and taking strict action against those found responsible, with the objective of safeguarding public assets and reducing recurring financial losses.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
