Since 2016, Delhi Metro passengers have left Rs. 2.8cr cash
What's the story
Every year, several Delhi Metro passengers leave their belongings behind inside trains or station premises, which are collected by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deployed across the network.
However, with Delhi Metro's daily footfall of 30 lakh, it's no surprise that, since 2016, the CISF has accumulated assets worth crores, including Rs. 2.8 crore cash, and safely returned them to their rightful owners.
Details
Till June 30 this year, CISF recovered Rs. 59.87L cash
According to IANS, the CISF recovered a total amount of Rs. 59,87,645 cash this year till June 30.
This includes Rs. 32,91,939 recovered in January, Rs. 1,06,009 in February, Rs. 35,348 in March, Rs. 48,744 in April, Rs. 4,47, 534 in May, and Rs. 3,47,144 in June.
The cash was returned to its owners through the station controllers of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
Other items
Other items recovered include laptops, watches, tablets, ornaments, etc.
Apart from the cash, other items recovered by CISF officials this year include cheques or drafts worth Rs. 2.25 crore, Rs. 85,866 in foreign currency, 129 mobile phones, 65 laptops, 34 watches, 15 silver ornaments, 12 gold ornaments, nine cameras, and two tablets.
Furthermore, in 2018, the CISF had recovered Rs. 81,04,602 in cash and returned it to its owners, the report stated.
2018
In 2018, Rs. 1.12cr in cheques/drafts, 329 mobile phones recovered
The same year, the CISF had also recovered Rs. 1.12 crore worth of cheques and drafts, foreign currency worth Rs. 1,06,046, 140 laptops, 329 mobile phones, 58 watches, 43 gold ornaments, 27 silver ornaments, 27 cameras, seven tablets, and one iPod.
In 2017, the CISF recovered Rs. 70,73,802 cash, Rs. 4,84,477 in cheques/drafts, Rs. 5,31,978 in foreign currency, 364 mobiles, and 567 silver ornaments.
Where
Most forget their belongings on X-ray scanners, seats, say officials
Also, 130 laptops, 110 watches, among other items were recovered in 2017.
In 2016, Rs. 75,15, 537 cash, Rs. 39,66,160 in cheques/drafts, Rs. 7,03,065 in foreign currency, 413 mobile phones, 111 laptops, 96 watches, 49 gold and 25 silver ornaments, 17 cameras, etc.
A CISF official told IANS that most passengers forget their belongings on the X-ray scanners or on their seats in trains.
Praise
CISF troopers receive praise from riders, rewards from force
Reportedly, CISF officials said that their efforts may not be well-known, but are praised by those whose lost assets the force securely returns.
"We receive people's feedback on Twitter and on email," said CISF's Assistant Inspector General Hemendra Singh, adding that the force rewards personnel for helping passengers.
Singh said it's not easy, but they try to gain the passengers' trust.
CISF
12,000 CISF troopers guard 245 metro stations across Delhi-NCR
A 1.48 lakh strong force, the CISF is a paramilitary force under the Union Home Ministry.
Around 12,000 CISF personnel are deployed across the 245 metro stations across Delhi-NCR to provide security.
Apart from DMRC security, the force also guards nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, sensitive government buildings, heritage monuments, etc., along with providing VIP security and disaster management.