Hyderabad: For middle-class families, the train is the most preferred mode of commute for long-distance travel. It is common for people to forget their bags or other belongings when in a hurry while getting off at their destination. By the time you notice that you forgot your things, the train might have already left the station. If you are one among them, worry not! The Indian Railways can help you recover your belongings if you report the issue on time.
Dial 139
Just dial '139' on your mobile phone and share the required details, like the Passenger Name Record (PNR) number, rail and coach numbers, berth, bag details, etc. The rail officials collect the mentioned information, retrieve your belongings at the next station, and secure your items safely.
Passengers can also quickly report complaints through the Rail Madad app, an official complaints app developed by the Indian Railways. Complainants can track the query on the app until it gets resolved. Here is how you can do it:
Download the app on your mobile through the Play Store (Android users) or App Store (iOS users).
Register and log in using your name, phone number, or email. Once the registration is done, you can register your complaint using the grievance column by entering your PNR number, coach or seat number, information related to your lost belongings, date of the incident, and photo (if available). Once you enter the required details, a grievance ID will be generated through which you can track your complaint.
What if your items fall from a moving train?
Several passengers pull the emergency chain if any of their items fall from the train. It is likely that they will be charged with a fine and sometimes even jailed. So, instead of pulling the chain, you can share the details of the lost item/baggage and where it fell ( location) with the ticket collector, who in turn will alert the Railway Protection Force, and they will search for your lost belongings. Passengers can later collect their items from the lost and found department at the railway station. It can be helpful for the officials if you put a tag on your luggage disclosing your name, phone number, and address in such instances.
This article is written by Yashwanth Rodda, a student of IIT Hyderabad, currently interning with Deccan Chronicle.