For lost belongings, log on to CISF site

Fliers can approach the agency now

The paramilitary force, which looks after the security of 57 airports across the country, will also upload details of the relevant contact persons whom a passenger can approach to claim his/her belongings.

This year up to August, unattended belongings worth Rs 1.91 crore were handed over to passengers whereas goods worth about Rs 6.16 crore were handed over to the airport operators.

“Most of these costly items never reached back to its rightful owners because of lack of information,” CISF Inspector General Ajit Singh Shekhawat said. He said these unattended or forgotten items generally comprise costly items such as  laptops, mobile phones, cash and jewellery. Up till now Airport authorities were auctioning such unclaimed items three months after the date of recovery.

Though the CISF also collects “prohibited items”, which include pocket knives, metal scissors, cartons of deodourant and perfumes every day, sources said. Such items would not be put up on the website as they do not come under “valuables category.” Some of the major valuables recovered this year include a bag found from Kochi airport which contained items to the tune of Rs 5 lakh. In another such recovery made at Jaipur airport, officials found over Rs 2 lakh cash in a bag.

“The CISF facilitates the passengers to locate their lost items and it is not responsible in case an item could not be retrieved,” another officer said. With the details being put up on the CISF website, passengers can contact the authority concerned directly and collect the valuables after giving ownership proof.