3 days ago
Railway Cleanliness Fine Doubled to ₹1,000 Under 2026 Rules
New railway rules make the biggest fine for spitting or littering ₹1,000.
Before, the maximum fine was ₹500.
People who refuse to pay may be taken to court.
A court could then order a fine of up to ₹2,000.
The government hopes the bigger fine will discourage dirty behaviour.
Passenger representatives say fines alone may not change people’s habits.
They want more dustbins, cleaner stations and awareness campaigns too.
The rules will work best if railway staff can consistently find and penalize offenders.
The Centre has doubled the maximum railway-premises penalty for spitting, littering and creating unhygienic conditions from ₹500 to ₹1,000.
People who do not pay may be taken before a competent court, which can impose a fine of up to ₹2,000.
Railway authorities say the higher penalty is intended to deter behaviour that worsens cleanliness challenges at busy stations.
Passenger representatives and commuters argue that enforcement, awareness, better facilities and cleaner stations are also necessary.
Central Railway and Western Railway have used German nano-technology-based anti-spitting paint at heavily affected locations.
- Who
- The Centre, railway authorities, passengers, commuters and passenger representatives are involved.
- What
- The maximum penalty for spitting, littering or creating unhygienic conditions on railway premises has been raised to ₹1,000.
- Where
- Railway premises, with particular concern about Mumbai’s crowded railway network.
- When
- Under rules notified for 2026; the article does not give an exact notification date.
- Why
- The change aims to improve cleanliness and deter behaviour that increases the burden on railway cleaning staff.
Enforcement, Facilities and Awareness First
Higher Penalties as a Deterrent
Effect of raising the fine
Enforcement, Facilities and Awareness First
Passenger representatives and commuters say doubling the fine alone may not change people’s mindset or produce lasting behavioural change.
Higher Penalties as a Deterrent
The Centre’s stronger financial penalty is intended to discourage spitting, littering and other conduct affecting railway cleanliness.
What should accompany penalties
Enforcement, Facilities and Awareness First
Stations should provide better facilities, more dustbins, regular awareness campaigns and cleaner, well-maintained surroundings.
Higher Penalties as a Deterrent
The revised penalty adds a stronger deterrent to existing cleanliness efforts, including anti-spitting paint used by railway authorities.
Enforcement feasibility
Enforcement, Facilities and Awareness First
Representatives say catching and penalizing every offender is difficult at stations crowded with lakhs of people, so consistent enforcement is essential.
Higher Penalties as a Deterrent
The rules allow non-payers to be produced before a competent court, which may impose a fine of up to ₹2,000.
Key facts
- New maximum penalty
- ₹1,000
- Earlier maximum penalty
- ₹500
- Possible court-imposed fine
- Up to ₹2,000 for non-payment
- Covered conduct
- Spitting, littering and creating unhygienic conditions on railway premises
- Rules
- Railway Premises (Penalty for Activities Affecting Cleanliness) Amendment Rules, 2026
- Technology measure
- German nano-technology-based anti-spitting paint has been used at heavily affected locations
- Main enforcement concern
- Identifying offenders consistently in crowded stations
Quotes
Kailash Verma
Secretary of the Railway Passengers Association
“The real challenge is enforcement. Identifying and penalising someone who spits or throws garbage in a crowd of lakhs is not easy. Railways must focus on awareness, cleanliness and modern infrastructure alongside penalties. A fine can create fear, but lasting behavioural change requires better facilities and discipline.”
freepressjournal.in
“Along with penalties, the Railways should ensure cleaner stations, more dustbins and regular awareness campaigns. Passengers also need to take responsibility for keeping railway premises clean.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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