Lost a cellphone, a wallet or any other valuable at an airport? Now, you may be able to recover your lost belongings courtesy a unique first-of-its-kind initiative launched by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

The CISF on Monday launched a new utility service on its official website (www.cisf.gov.in) that will offer air travellers a chance to locate their lost valuables online and claim them from airport operators. A daily list of items found from airports across the country will be posted on the website. Once a passenger spots a lost item on this list, he will need to contact the airport operator to claim it. The website will offer the contact details of the airport operator.

CISF currently provides security cover to 57 airports across the country, including all international airports and major hypersensitive and sensitive airports.

As per the paramilitary force, a large number of valuable items are being misplaced at checkpoints at airports all over India. These items lie unattended and many of them are handed over to airport operator for want of rightful owners, said CISF officials. As per data available, this year up to August, unattended property worth Rs 1.91 crore was handed over to passengers and property worth Rs 6.16 crore was handed over to airport operators by CISF personnel. Similarly, in 2007 and 2008, CISF has recovered valuable articles worth Rs 11.34 crore and Rs 13.81 crore, respectively.

“The idea is to offer the public an opportunity to find their lost valuables and claim them,” CISF’s IG (Administration) Ajeet Shekhawat said.

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