Railways passengers can report lost phones via Rail Madad app or 139 helpline

Indian Railways, in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has introduced a nationwide system to help passengers recover lost or stolen mobile phones. The initiative, led by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), enables passengers to report lost phones via the Rail Madad app or by calling 139. The system integrates with DoT’s Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) through the Sanchar Saathi platform, allowing authorities to block the phone’s IMEI number and prevent misuse.

Passengers who do not wish to file an FIR can still report their lost device through the CEIR portal. Once a complaint is lodged, the RPF’s zonal cyber cell will process it and block the IMEI number. If a lost phone is detected with a new SIM card, the user will be instructed to return it to the nearest RPF post. “If a lost phone is detected with a new SIM card, the user will be advised to return it to the nearest RPF post. The rightful owner can reclaim their phone by presenting the required documents. In cases of non-compliance, the RPF can file an FIR and escalate the matter to the district police,” an official said.

The initiative builds on the success of a pilot program conducted in Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) in May 2024, which led to multiple recoveries of lost phones and the identification of theft networks. Currently, 17 railway zones and over 70 RPF divisions are being integrated with the Sanchar Saathi portal to streamline complaint processing and enhance tracking efforts. The Rail Madad app will automatically transfer complaints to the Sanchar Saathi platform, allowing authorities to take swift action.

According to the DoT, over 30 lakh mobile devices have been blocked through CEIR, with approximately 18 lakh traced and 3.87 lakh successfully recovered by police. Telangana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka have demonstrated significant success in utilizing this system for mobile recovery and theft prevention. The government urges citizens to continue reporting lost or stolen phones via www.sancharsaathi.gov.in to enhance tracking and retrieval efforts.

The Sanchar Saathi platform, operated by DoT, is designed to prevent telecom fraud and unauthorized mobile usage. In addition to blocking lost phones, it enables citizens to report misuse of telecom resources linked to cybercrimes and fraud. The RPF’s collaboration with DoT aims to improve passenger safety by ensuring that lost mobile phones are swiftly tracked and recovered while preventing their illegal resale.