Samastipur: Passengers often rush to get off trains, and in that hurry many forget their bags and valuables. This has become a common problem in the Samastipur railway division of Bihar, where belongings worth about Rs 7.41 lakh were left behind over the past nine months. These items were forgotten on trains, platforms and station premises, only to be remembered later when passengers had already reached home.
After realising their loss, many passengers contacted the Railway Protection Force (RPF) through the Rail Madad app or by calling the railway helpline number 139. Acting on these complaints, RPF personnel traced the missing items and kept them safe. Officials said that a total of 73 such cases were reported in the Samastipur RPF post area, and in most cases the lost belongings were successfully returned to their owners.
The recoveries were made possible through “Operation Amanat”, a special drive run by the RPF to help passengers find lost property. Under this initiative, details and photographs of missing items are shared quickly among RPF teams. Once recovered, the items are stored safely at railway stations or RPF posts, where passengers can collect them after identity verification.
Among the recovered items were laptops, expensive mobile phones, cash and even a wristwatch worth around Rs 30,000. The RPF also returned important documents such as educational certificates and medical papers, especially in cases involving students. Railway officials have advised passengers to stay alert during travel, but added that if something is lost, reporting it immediately greatly improves the chances of recovery.
