Indian Railways is preparing a new policy to tackle the recurring theft of linen items from air-conditioned coaches after more than 1.27 crore bedroll items reportedly went missing between January 2022 and May 2026.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials to submit a comprehensive plan within two months to address the issue. The proposed policy is expected to focus on better inventory management, technology-based tracking, stronger accountability of service providers and improved monitoring of linen collection after passengers complete their journeys.
The development comes as the national transporter supplies nearly 8 lakh linen sets every day across AC coaches, making even small-scale losses a major operational and financial concern.
Officials have also clarified that there is no proposal to discontinue face towels in Third AC coaches, stating that the focus is on preventing misuse rather than reducing passenger facilities.
Rising Linen Losses Push Railways To Act
The disappearance of bedsheets, blankets, pillows, pillow covers and face towels from AC coaches has emerged as a growing challenge for Indian Railways, prompting authorities to rethink the way linen management is handled across the network.
An RTI-based investigation revealed that around 1.27 crore linen items went missing from AC coaches between January 2022 and May 2026. The data was collected from responses received from 54 railway divisions across 16 zones, highlighting the scale of the problem faced by the national transporter.
The missing items included around 46.54 lakh face towels, 41.13 lakh bedsheets, 23.59 lakh pillow covers, 12.95 lakh blankets and 2.76 lakh pillows.
According to reports, linen theft increased by nearly 56% between 2022 and 2025, causing an estimated financial impact of around ₹104.51 crore for contractors responsible for supplying and maintaining these items.
Following these findings, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw instructed officials to prepare a detailed action plan within two months. Officials said the matter requires a broader approach involving railway authorities, service providers and technology solutions instead of depending only on manual supervision.
A senior railway official told The Indian Express that the issue required consultation before finalising the framework, indicating that the proposed policy would focus on creating a more accountable and transparent system for linen management.
Tracking Every Linen Movement
Passengers travelling in AC sleeper coaches are provided a bedroll kit that generally includes two bedsheets, one blanket, one pillow, one pillow cover and one face towel. These items are washed, maintained and redistributed after every journey through a network involving contractors, laundry facilities and onboard staff.
While most passengers return the linen after use, officials have pointed out that repeated cases of missing items create additional costs for the railway system and service providers.
The proposed policy is expected to introduce stricter monitoring mechanisms at multiple stages — from procurement and washing centres to distribution inside trains and collection after passengers de-board.
One of the key areas under consideration is improved inventory management. Railways is expected to develop systems that can track how many linen sets are supplied, where they are distributed and where losses occur.
Technology is also likely to play a bigger role. Officials are examining digital solutions that can record linen movement, improve coordination between onboard staff and service providers, and ensure better monitoring of collection before passengers leave coaches.
Some railway divisions have already experimented with digital tools such as the Coach Mitra app, which helps onboard staff manage passenger-related services, including activities connected with coach maintenance and linen management.
The proposed changes may also bring greater accountability for contractors. At present, service providers are responsible for maintaining linen supplies, and missing items can lead to financial penalties. The new framework could establish clearer responsibility among linen suppliers, cleaning agencies, bedroll attendants and passengers.
No Plan To Remove Face Towels
The discussion around linen losses also led to speculation that Indian Railways could stop providing face towels in Third AC coaches to reduce expenses.
However, railway officials have clarified that there is no such proposal under consideration. Authorities said the objective is not to reduce passenger amenities but to prevent losses through better monitoring and management.
Earlier, Railways had attempted to address the issue through measures such as counselling bedroll attendants, increasing staff vigilance, conducting awareness campaigns and penalising contractors for shortages.
However, the continued rise in missing items has pushed authorities towards a more structured approach that combines technology, accountability and better operational practices.
The challenge is not limited to financial losses alone. Frontline workers, including onboard attendants and service staff, have also raised concerns over responsibility being shifted onto them when linen goes missing. In some cases, workers have claimed that recovery amounts are deducted from their wages.
This has made it important for the upcoming policy to create a fair system where responsibility is clearly defined without placing an unfair burden on railway employees.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Public resources belong to everyone, and protecting them requires collective responsibility from both institutions and citizens. The recurring loss of railway linen is not merely a financial issue; it reflects the larger challenge of maintaining shared public services in a country where millions depend on them every day.
At the same time, solutions must go beyond blame and punishment. A stronger system should ensure accountability while also recognising the challenges faced by frontline railway workers who manage essential services under demanding conditions.
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