Railway Protection Force Collaborates with DoT Portal to Aid Passengers in Recovering Stolen or Lost Mobile Phones

New Delhi, April 3 (NationPress) In a remarkable development aimed at assisting passengers in retrieving lost or stolen mobile phones, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has effectively partnered with the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal from the Department of Telecommunications.

The CEIR portal serves as the DoT’s essential digital resource for recovering mobile devices by blocking their IMEI numbers, while also enabling the tracking and management of devices reported as lost or stolen.

This new initiative stems from a successful pilot program conducted in the Northeast Frontier Railway. The nationwide implementation of this project across Indian Railways commenced on Thursday, promising to benefit millions of railway passengers.

During the launch and training session for the CEIR portal, RPF Director General Manoj Yadava stated: “The partnership between RPF and the Department of Telecommunications to operate the CEIR portal signifies a major advancement in railway security. By leveraging digital technology, we strive to offer passengers a clear and effective process for recovering their lost or stolen mobile phones. This initiative enhances law enforcement capabilities and builds greater trust among railway travelers. We are dedicated to protecting passenger belongings and ensuring a safe travel experience across the railway system.”

With the CEIR portal, the RPF can now render lost or stolen mobile phones inoperable by blocking their IMEI numbers, which acts as a deterrent against illegal possession and resale of these devices. This initiative will also streamline the swift recovery of lost phones through advanced tracking, Yadava added.

The RPF has consistently led efforts to recover passenger belongings that are lost or misplaced in trains and on station premises.

The RPF’s Operation Amanat was initiated to assist in returning valuables to their rightful owners, achieving significant results. Between January 2024 and February 2025, the RPF successfully recovered lost items valued at Rs 84.03 crore, returning them to over 1.15 lakh thankful passengers.

The integration of CEIR into railway security operations is anticipated to further enhance the RPF’s efforts in reuniting lost or misplaced mobile phones with their owners.

According to an official statement, the collaboration with CEIR ensures a streamlined process for passengers wishing to report lost or stolen phones.

Passengers can report lost or stolen mobile devices via the Rail Madad platform, either online or by calling 139. If they opt not to file a FIR, they will receive guidance on registering their complaint through the CEIR portal.

The RPF’s Zonal Cyber Cells will then log the complaint on the CEIR portal, inputting the necessary details and blocking the device.

Once a lost phone is detected with a new SIM card, the device's user will be instructed to return it to the nearest RPF post. The rightful owner must subsequently provide supporting documents to reclaim the device.

If there is non-compliance, a FIR can be filed, escalating the issue to the District Police. Upon recovery, the complainant can request to unblock the phone via the CEIR portal, with assistance from the RPF if required.

In May 2024, the RPF initiated a pilot project in the Northeast Frontier Railway to actively utilize the CEIR portal and assess its effectiveness for the RPF.

This trial resulted in the successful recovery of numerous lost mobile phones and the apprehension of individuals involved in mobile theft. With this initiative being expanded nationwide, the RPF is confident in providing quicker and more effective recovery solutions for railway passengers.