In the last two years, Mumbai’s local trains have witnessed theft worth nearly `31 lakh. However, of the stolen railway property, the Railways has managed to recover goods worth `25 lakh.
The most common things stolen on locals include fittings like fans, handles, cushion, wires, signaling tools, steel sheets etc. Signaling fittings, electrical mechanical, pathway and overhead equipment are also on the radar of thieves. Most of these robberies take place when the trains are parked in the stabling yard or carshed.
Though the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has had a record 80 per cent recovery rate in the theft cases, the problem has been a cause of worry for the Railways as it affects the schedule of its services. In 2011, a total of 67 theft cases worth `2.24 lakh, were reported on the Western Railway. The number of theft cases increased to 76. The stolen equipment was worth `2.85 lakh.
Incidentally, according to the data, WR’s RPF has been able to detect all the cases and recover all the stolen goods.
The number of theft cases has been significantly higher on the Central Railway, but has come down in the last year. In 2011, 270 cases were reported on CR, with railway property worth `7.94 lakh being stolen. Of these, 262 cases were detected, with property worth `4.94 lakh being recovered. In 2012, the number of theft cases dropped to 246. However, the total property stolen was worth `16.84 lakh. Of the 246 cases, 236 were detected and property worth `14.17 lakh was recovered.
According to an official, theft cases are higher on the CR route, because it has long, diversified routes, which expand from CST-Kalyan-Karjat-Khopoli, CST to Panvel and CST to Andheri. However, WR has a simple and straight route from Churchgate to Virar, the official said.
When contacted, senior divisional security commissioner, WR, Rajendra Roopnavar, WR said, “Hundred per cent detection rate itself shows our level of effort.” His counterpoint, Alok Bohra, RPF, CR said, “Better surveillance combined and fixing of responsibility on the staff concerned, has helped us tackle the theft issue.”