When I returned from Delhi by the Karnataka Exp (train no. 12628) on the 30th of May, 2014, I left behind the cordless headset that I use for my laptop, packed in a brown cardboard box, probably between the bedsheets on my berth (Bogey H-1, Coupe “G”, Berth21, A/C 1st Class). I realized this only when I was unpacking at home, and after wasting a little time trying to locate a number where I could file a report, I went back to the City Railway Station.
Mr Manjunath, the Addl Station Manager, was quite helpful, and directed me to the office of the Junior Engineer (Maintenance), on Platform 4 of the station. There, Mr Ramesh was also quite helpful, but told me that the contractors (two or three sets of them) who came to pick up the bedsheets would be the first people on the train. He called in a junior, who said that nothing had been reported found. I told him that the headset would not be useful for anyone else, and that I was willing to give a reward for it if found.
He then told me that it would be correct procedure for me to file a complaint at the Railway Police Station, situated on Platform 5. I went there, and wasted my time for 45 minutes with a very slow constable, Mr Venakta Murthy, who was tersely directed by the Sub-Inspector to ask me to write a complaint in the approved format in duplicate, get it signed by me, and enter the details on his file. Insterspersed wtih efforts to provide a security escort for Mr Yeddyurappa who was travelling to Shimoga, the simple writing of the complaint took a lot of time, and it was made very clear to me that nothing would come of it.
I posted about my problem on FaceBook, and was given this link:
http://www.swr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,7,275,398
and I called the Public Relations Officer’s no (no response). The other numbers also went without being answered. I then called the office of the Divisional Rly Manager and his secretary gave me the no. of My Jois, Complaints Officer, 8861309473. He was kind enough to call me back just now, and told me that he would make enquiries tomorrow and get back to me.
There seems, alas, to be no system of Lost Property or Lost-and-Found for the Railways. I feel that given the fact that passenger would be losing many items, such a system should be instituted at the earliest.
However, I am still hopeful that I might see my cordless headset again, and hope that Mr Jois has good news for me tomorrow!
Indeed the bangalore airport seems to be better equipped. Recently my brother in law left passport and some dollars in the trolley in a travel pouch. on reaching home almost 2 hours later , he gets a call from airport security informing about finding the pouch. The security personnel used the telephone numbers in one of the tickets to call home. My bro in law went back to pick the pouch back, unfortunately the 100 and odd dollars got missing but still manage to get back the other very important belongings.