Losing your mobile phone while traveling by train can be distressing—but now, Indian Railways has a solution. Thanks to a technological partnership with the Department of Telecommunications, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is now successfully helping passengers recover lost or stolen mobile phones with much greater efficiency.
Here’s everything you need to know about the process, the technology behind it, and how you can file a complaint if your phone goes missing during a journey.
The Indian Railways, through the RPF, has recently joined the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) system, a project of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). This platform enables authorities to track, block, and recover mobile devices using their IMEI numbers—a unique 15-digit identifier assigned to every phone.
This collaboration began as a pilot project under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) and saw great success. As per the railways, more than 1.15 lakh lost phones have already been returned to their rightful owners under this system. Given the results, Indian Railways now plans to expand the initiative nationwide.
The CEIR system allows authorities to take immediate action when a mobile phone is reported as lost or stolen. Here’s how it functions:
Once a complaint is received, the phone’s IMEI number is blocked, making the device non-functional, even if a new SIM is inserted.
This renders the lost or stolen phone useless to thieves, reducing chances of resale or misuse.
As soon as the device is used again with a new SIM, tracking mechanisms kick in, and the RPF can recover the device and notify the rightful owner.
This digital strategy not only helps protect citizens’ property but also significantly deters phone theft on trains and at stations.
Passengers can report a lost or stolen mobile phone using the following methods:
Visit the official Rail Madad portal or mobile app.
Alternatively, dial 139, the helpline for Indian Railways.
Provide all relevant details including train number, date, phone model, and time of loss.
If you do not wish to file an FIR, the authorities will direct you to register your complaint on the CEIR portal.
You’ll need to provide your IMEI number, proof of ownership, and ID proof.
Once the report is filed, RPF will initiate the blocking and tracking process.
The case is forwarded to the RPF Zonal Cyber Cell, where details are uploaded to the CEIR portal. The device is then blocked remotely. If the phone is later used with a new SIM card, the system automatically detects the activity.
The new user will be prompted to return the device to the nearest RPF post. After verification, the phone is handed back to the original owner.
The RPF’s broader initiative, ‘Operation Amanat’, has also seen great success. Between January 2024 and February 2025, RPF teams recovered and returned lost property worth over ₹84.03 crore to passengers, including mobile phones, wallets, luggage, and other valuables.
RPF Director General Manoj Yadav recently addressed zonal units and emphasized the importance of the initiative:
“This collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications marks a big step forward in digital railway security. We are committed to making passengers feel safer and more secure while traveling.”
With advanced technology, faster complaint redressal, and proactive recovery efforts, Indian Railways is making sure passengers don’t have to stress over lost phones anymore.
