Valuables worth Rs 3 lakh stolen from trains, stations across South Central Railway zone every day

Hyderabad: Train passengers in South Central Railway (SCR) zone are losing valuables worth ₹3 lakh a day, with the most stolen items being mobile phones and gold chains, according to records.

Data shows that in 2024, gold ornaments and mobile phones worth a total of nearly Rs 12 crore were stolen from SCR zone with all stations — including Secunderabad and Kacheguda — recording over 550 cases of theft. The value of unaccounted thefts, officials say, could be much higher.

Recently, criminals tampered with railway signals to halt the Chandigarh–Madurai Express (20494) near Nellore, and decamped with gold chains weighing a total of 22 grams from two women passengers. In a separate incident reported on April 2, robbers targeted a couple travelling on Duronto Express and fled with a handbag containing 15 tolas of gold jewellery. Upon arriving at Secunderabad railway station, the couple filed a complaint with the GRP authorities.

Lax security

When TOI spoke to passengers at some railway stations, they rued how train journeys have become unsafe over time. They urged railway officials to enhance surveillance and monitoring on long-distance trains.

“During a recent journey to Chennai, my cousin faced an alarming incident when criminals interfered with the signal system of Cherlapally-Chennai Express (21604). The miscreants forcibly halted the train and attempted to rob the passengers. Fortunately, the plan failed because of alert RPF staff. Such criminal activities typically occur in summers, particularly between midnight and 3 am,” said P Bharadwaj, member of the divisional railway users’ consultative committee, Hyderabad.

According to them, the Nalgonda-Guntur, Chirala-Nellore, and Wadi-Raichur sections are particularly vulnerable to crime.

“I make regular trips to Chennai and Tirupati, travelling in both sleeper and AC coaches. At multiple stations, passengers without reservation enter the coaches and occupy reserved seats, assuring that they would vacate the seats whenever the reserved passengers would want to go to sleep. This creates anxiety about leaving our belongings and mobile phones unattended while going to the washroom. RPF constables need to conduct regular inspections of all coaches and deboard unauthorised passengers to ensure safe travel for everyone,” said C Rakesh Reddy, a passenger at Begumpet railway station.

Checks intensified: officials

Railways officials said that they have arrested 326 offenders for theft and 36 for robbery in 2024. “We have also intensified our raids on vulnerable trains. Further, the photos of offenders are being displayed prominently at conspicuous places in the railway stations for identification. Crime intelligence staff in mufti are keeping watch on vulnerable trains and sections for the safety and security of passengers,” said a senior RPF official.