Lok Sabha Question No. 3145 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Theft in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NANDI YELLAIAH, PRATHAP SIMHA, SHOBHA KARANDLAJE, RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3145 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## THEFT IN TRAINS

3145.

SHRI NANDI YELLAIAH: SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA: SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways is aware that theft of passengers' baggage on running trains and platforms have shown a steady increase;
- (b) if so, the details of the cases reported in this regard during the last three years and the current year;
- (c) the steps initiated by the Railways to curb this menace;
- (d) whether there is any proposal to prevent unauthorized persons from entering  railway  coaches  by  deploying  adequate  number  of  RPF personnel and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the amount of compensation paid to the passengers by the Railways during the above period for theft of baggage?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (e):      A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.3145  BY  SHRI  NANDI  YELLAIAH,  SHRI PRATHAP  SIMHA,  KUMARI  SHOBHA  KARANDLAJE  AND  SHRI  RAJAN VICHARE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 16.03.2016 REGARDING THEFT IN TRAINS

(a)  &  (b):  Yes,  Madam.  The  details  of  cases  of  theft  of  passengers' baggage in running trains and at platforms reported over Indian Railways during the last three years and the current year are as under:

| Year             | No. of cases of theft of passengers' baggage reported   | No. of cases of theft of passengers' baggage reported   | Total   |
|------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|---------|
|                  | In running trains                                       | At Platforms                                            |         |
| 2013             | 9251                                                    | 4306                                                    | 13557   |
| 2014             | 11636                                                   | 5162                                                    | 16798   |
| 2015             | 15343                                                   | 6345                                                    | 21688   |
| 2016 (Upto Feb.) | 2489                                                    | 1094                                                    | 3583    |

(c) & (d): Policing on Railways being a State subject, prevention of crime, registration  of  cases,  their  investigation  and  maintenance  of  law  and order in Railway premises as well as on running trains are the statutory responsibility  of  the  State  Governments,  which  they  discharge  through Government  Railway  Police  (GRP).  However,  Railway  Protection  Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of the GRP  to provide security to passengers  by  deploying  its  staff  for  escorting  of  important  trains  in affected  areas  and  access  control  duties  at  important  and  sensitive stations.

The following measures are being taken by Railways for security of passengers and their baggages:-

1. On  vulnerable  and  identified  routes/  sections,  2300  trains  (on  an average) are escorted by Railway Protection Force daily, in addition to  2200  trains  escorted  by  Government  Railway  Police  of  different States daily.
2. An integrated Security System consisting of surveillance of vulnerable stations through Close Circuit Television Camera Network,  Access  Control  etc.  have  been  sanctioned  to  improve surveillance mechanism over 202 railway stations.
3. Security Helpline number 182 is operational over Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
4. Regular drives are conducted  against unauthorized passengers entering  Railway  premises/  trains  by  RPF  under  provisions  of  the Railways Act.
5. Regular coordination meetings are held with State Police at all levels to ensure proper registration and investigation of crime by GRP.
6. (e): In terms of Section-100 of the Railways Act, 1989, Railway administration has no statutory responsibility for payment of compensation for the theft, loss or damage of unbooked luggage unless it is proved (in a court of Law) that such theft, loss or damage is due to the negligence or misconduct on the part of the Railway Administration or its employees.

*****