Passengers often leave things behind on buses, such as chargers, water bottles, and neck pillows. These items are predictable and mundane. But forgotten belongings can sometimes be far more eccentric and bizarre. Yes, people have left behind watermelons, a mannequin head, and even an entire fish tank fitted with an oxygen pump! From a broader perspective, the leftovers give insight into larger travel behaviour too.
The records give interesting insights into the things people carry, ranging from everyday essentials and homemade food to temple offerings and electronics. Out of all the cities, New Delhi recorded the highest number of forgotten items, followed by Bengaluru. As per the report, phone chargers and cables topped the list, followed by common items such as earphones, neck pillows, backpacks, blankets, shawls, umbrellas, and steel tiffins. Among all the categories, food stood out. The forgotten food items ranged from pickle jars and filter coffee to murukku tins, paratha parcels, mithai boxes, dry-fruit containers and thermoses.
A Lost and Found analysis assessed the belongings left behind across its intercity bus network between January and June 2026. Most belongings were left behind on overnight journeys arriving between 4 am and 6 am.
