Finding Lost or Misplaced Baggage by Airline

If the airline you are traveling with has lost or misplaced your baggage, then this article explains the procedure of getting your luggage back.

If your baggage does not turn up on the luggage carousel then don't panic. It is most probably delayed and can easily be tracked down by the airlines. 98 percent of all misplaced or lost baggage is eventually returned. If your bags are on the next flight, you could have them within a few hours. If they've been sent to the wrong airport, it could take a couple of days. Make sure to file your claim immediately at the airport and provide the attendant with a contact number and address.

If your baggage has been lost or mishandled by the airline you arrived in, there is a simple procedure to follow. This allows for customs clearance of lost baggage and the delivery of the luggage at the doorstep of the passenger by the airline company.

There is no need for the traveller to hand over their passport or the baggage keys. They are merely required to complete the Custom Declaration Form authorizing the airline to complete the formalities when the baggage arrives. The passenger is required to obtain a certificate to that effect from the airlines and get it countersigned by customs indicating specifically the unutilized portion of the free allowance. This allows the passenger to avail the unutilised portion of the duty free allowance when the baggage is later delivered by the airline.

Most airlines deliver the lost baggage to your hotel or home and you will rarely need to return to the airport to pick it up. Additionally, many airlines will reimburse any unexpected expenses caused by the loss or delay. 

Lost Baggage
If the airline truly loses your bags, then you need to get a written claim for damages. This may require you to fill a different form than the original 'missing luggage' form. This can be done at the airport or by mail.

Stolen Baggage
Head directly to the baggage carousel after you get off your flight. There are some unscrupulous passengers who may pick up your bag and just walk away with it. They may be difficult to trace later.

The most common causes of lost, delayed or misplace baggage are late check-ins and tight connections. Avoid doing this when you can.

Complaining Against Auto or Taxi Drivers

If you feel you have been cheated by auto rickshaw or taxi drivers in India and wish to lodge a complaint against them, then here is how to do it.

As far as possible try to hire a prepaid taxi or autorickshaw or ask the driver to charge by the meter. If the driver overcharges you, misbehaves or refuses to take you to your destination, note down the license plate number of the vehicle and complain to the local police by dialling 100.

Here are other means to lodge a complaint against autos and taxis in different cities of India –

New Delhi - The traffic police has an SMS based complaint system. To complain against refusal, write ‘REF’ followed by the registration number of the vehicle, the location and time of the incident and SMS to 6767 from your phone. Similarly, one may use the word ‘OVC’ for over-charging, ‘MIB’ for misbehaviour and ‘HAR’ for harassment. There is also a round the clock helpline at 23378888. One may also complain online by filling in the online complaint card.

Mumbai – Other than the local traffic police, Mumbai also has special Tourism Police to guide, protect and provide safety to tourists. They patrol the streets in yellow jeeps and may be reached by dialling 22621855. Alternatively, you can register your complaint against autorickshaw and taxi drivers by filling the online auto and taxi complaint form. You can also fax your complaint to 02224927237, 24924734 and 24925462. The complaint should clearly mention the taxi number,
the date, time, place and the nature of the offense.

An independent inquiry will be carried out. If they find out that it is a first time offence then the driver is levied a minimum fine of Rs. 100 according to the law and the offender is warned. A repeat offender is made to pay higher fines and his drivers license can be suspended.

Kolkata – One may report a crime online by filling in a form with details of the offence and your contact information.

Chennai – Tourists may send their complaints as a text message (SMS) to 98407 00100. One may also report an incident by filling in the online form.

Rajasthan – Other than the number 100, one may also dial 1090 for the Crime Police Helpline. This facility is available in seven cities – Ajmer, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Kota and Udaipur.

Kerala – Here is a list of helpline numbers, police control room numbers and email addresses of police officers that one may contact.

Pune - If you find an autorickshaw driver charging excessively, just take a post card, write a complaint against him with license number of the vehicle and post it to the Regional Transport Office(RTO). Within 30 days, the auto rickshaw driver will be tracked and penalized.He will either have to pay a fine of Rs 300 or face suspension of licence for 10 days. The RTO may also cancel the licenses of auto rickshaw drivers, if deemed necessary”

Other articles that will interest you:

• Travel and Tourism in India
• Medical Tourism in India
• Business Tourism in India
• Bed and Breakfasts in India
• Backpacker Accommodation in India

Report a Lost or Stolen Passport in India

In case your passport is missing, this article explains how to report a lost or stolen passport in India. It also explains the procedure to be followed in getting a new passport made and other formalities.

You must make it a point to report the loss or theft of your passport as soon as possible, even if you do not want to replace it immediately.


Procedure in reporting a lost or stolen passport

In case of a lost or stolen passport, foreign citizens first need to file a First Information Report (FIR) with the local police. This report requires them to provide information about their identity and circumstances through which the passport went missing. If you know where your passport went missing such as a hotel, airport or railway station, you should report it to the concerned authorities present there as well.

Next, you need to visit the foreign mission of your country situated in India to report a lost or stolen passport. You will have to submit a few forms and provide identity proof, a copy of the police report and a replacement fee.

After obtaining a new travel document, you must apply for an exit visa before departing from the country. This visa is available at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). It allows the traveller a specified period of time (usually a few days) in which to leave the country legally. Without an exit stamp in your passport, you will not be permitted to leave India.

The following items are required while applying for the grant of visa and exit permit –

• The replacement passport
• A letter from the embassy giving details of your lost or stolen passport
• Original police report
• Date and type of visa in the lost passport
• Name of Indian Mission from where the visa was granted
• Port of arrival including the flight number/details of vessel.
• Places visited in India

It helps facilitate things, if you possess a photocopy of the missing visa and the lost or stolen passport. The process of confirming these details can take around a week and the Visa/ Exit Permit is usually granted after one week.