Passengers Stealing Train Blankets? Railway Worker Reveals the Financial Impact
Passengers Stealing Train Blankets? Railway Worker Reveals the Financial Impact
18 July, 2026: A viral social media video has sparked a discussion about the theft of blankets, bed sheets and towels provided to passengers in Indian Railways’ AC coaches. According to a railway attendant featured in the video, the cost of missing linen is often recovered from staff salaries, placing an unexpected financial burden on onboard employees.
The attendant, identified as Amit Yadav, said his responsibilities include distributing linen kits to passengers and collecting them before the train reaches its destination. He claimed that if blankets, towels or bed sheets go missing, the value of those items is deducted from the staff responsible for the coach.
Recalling one such incident, Yadav said he had to pay ₹5,000 from his own pocket after several linen items disappeared during a single journey. He added that every missing blanket, bed sheet or towel can cost up to ₹700, making repeated thefts financially challenging for railway employees.
To reduce losses, attendants have reportedly changed how towels are distributed. Instead of placing a towel in every linen kit, many now provide one only when a passenger specifically requests it. However, Yadav said this measure has not completely solved the problem, as towels continue to go missing.
The issue gained wider attention after a YouTuber shared the attendant’s story on Instagram, urging people to think about the impact such actions have on railway workers. The video ended with a simple appeal to passengers: “Please stop stealing.”
The video has generated strong reactions online, with many social media users expressing sympathy for railway staff and criticising passengers who take railway property home. Several users also called for stricter monitoring, CCTV surveillance and penalties for those found stealing linen from trains.
