What 139 handles
- Security assistance on a train or at a station
- Medical assistance on a train or at a station
- Train complaints (against a train journey, with PNR)
- Station complaints
- Complaints about railway staff behaviour
- Suggestions and appreciation (Rail Anubhav)
One integrated number across the Indian Railways network.
What to have ready when you call
- Your PNR, for a train complaint. RailMadad states PNR details help in correct assignment of a complaint for swift resolution, and that a PNR can only be entered within 5 days after the boarding time.
- Keep it under 1,000 characters — RailMadad caps complaint length at a maximum of 1,000 characters.
- Only 'Train' or 'Station' matters can be lodged — RailMadad states any complaint relating only to Train or Station can be lodged.
If the call does not resolve it
RailMadad states you may write a message 'MADAD space your complaint' and SMS it to 139.
Lodge and track a complaint online. Complaints lodged on Web or Apps can be tracked on both; complaints lodged through SMS or helpline 139 can be tracked only on their respective channels.
- RailOne app
Indian Railways' official super app, linked from RailMadad for Android and iOS.
RailMadad directs unanswered questions to railmadad@gov.in.
How AI voice agents help 139
139 mixes two very different calls: a genuine on-board emergency, and a status or complaint query that RailMadad already answers from a database. The complaint side is unusually automatable because Indian Railways has already defined the structure — train or station, a PNR within 5 days of boarding, under 1,000 characters — which is a form a voice agent can fill in any of the 23 languages the RailMadad portal already publishes, while emergency calls go straight through to a human.
Frequently asked questions
What is 139 used for?
RailMadad lists 139 for security and medical assistance, and states that a complaint can be lodged over phone on the integrated helpline number 139.
Can I lodge a railway complaint by SMS?
Yes. RailMadad states you may write a message 'MADAD space your complaint' and SMS it to 139.
Can I track a complaint I lodged by calling 139?
Only on the same channel. RailMadad states complaints lodged on Web or Apps can be tracked on both of them, while complaints lodged through SMS or helpline number 139 can be tracked only on their respective channels.
Can I reopen a railway complaint if I am not satisfied?
No. RailMadad states there is no such provision. It also states that once submitted, no modification can be made to a complaint, but a fresh complaint can be submitted.
How late can I complain about a journey?
RailMadad states you can only enter a PNR within 5 days after the boarding time.
Sources
Everything above was read off these pages on 17 September 2026.