Centre Doubles Fine for Spitting and Littering at Railway Stations to Rs 1,000
Passengers caught spitting, littering, or creating unhygienic conditions on railway premises in Mumbai will now be fined Rs 1,000, double the previous maximum penalty of Rs 500. The Union government notified the change under the Railway Premises (Penalty for Activities Affecting Cleanliness) Amendment Rules, 2026, aimed at curbing persistent sanitation issues across railway stations.
Under the updated rules, individuals who fail to pay the on-spot penalty can be produced before a competent court, which is empowered to impose a fine of up to Rs 2,000.
The stricter measures have been introduced as railway stations continue to struggle with littering and spitting, which place a severe strain on sanitation staff. With millions of commuters traveling daily across the network, maintaining cleanliness remains a critical operational challenge. Authorities intend for the higher penalty to serve as a stronger financial deterrent and promote responsible behavior among commuters.
Passenger associations and daily commuters in Mumbai have pointed out that raising the fine amount will only be effective if enforcement and awareness are addressed simultaneously.
Kailash Verma, secretary of the Railway Passengers Association, noted that increasing the financial penalty alone would not resolve the issue without a shift in public mindset. He highlighted that better amenities and well-maintained premises, similar to the standards seen at Metro stations, could encourage greater public discipline.
Verma added that identifying and penalizing individuals in crowds comprising hundreds of thousands of daily commuters presents a major practical challenge, urging the Railways to focus on awareness and upgraded infrastructure alongside punitive steps.
Commuter Kanti Singh shared similar concerns, stating that while the higher fine may deter some offenders, apprehending violators in crowded stations remains difficult. She emphasized the need for more dustbins, cleaner platforms, and regular awareness drives, alongside personal responsibility from passengers.
To tackle chronic spitting, Central Railway and Western Railway have previously applied German nano-technology-based anti-spitting paint at heavily affected areas to deter offenders and lower the effort needed for cleaning. Railway officials hope the increased penalties, combined with existing maintenance measures, will help improve station cleanliness across Mumbai's suburban network.
