Chennai RPF reunites lost child swiftly

Chennai: Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel of Chennai Division reunited a five-year-old girl with her parents after she got separated from them at Chennai Egmore railway station while passengers were boarding the Chennai Egmore–Kanyakumari Express on May 28. The incident occurred at around 5pm on Platform 5, when the child, identified as Darshana, became separated from her parents amid rush of passengers.

Railways said the child’s distressed mother, who was searching for her daughter, was noticed by Swathi, an RPF personnel on patrol duty, who immediately alerted fellow RPF and Government Railway Police (GRP) staff across the station and initiated a coordinated search operation. The team searched key locations within station premises and traced the child near the A2 coach of the same train within a short span of time.

The child was safely reunited with her parents and the train departed on schedule at 5.20pm without disruption, railways said. The parents expressed gratitude to RPF and GRP personnel for their quick response and assistance.

Railways said passenger safety and security remained a priority and noted that under Operation Nanhe Fariste, Chennai Division RPF rescued 630 runaway or missing children, including 117 girls, during the last financial year 2025–26. Passengers are encouraged to seek assistance through Railway Helpline 139, RailMadad or approach RPF and GRP personnel when required.