Stop Spitting & Littering: Indian Railways Doubles Penalty to ₹1,000
If you think a small amount of litter won't matter, think again. The Indian Railways has officially cracked down on unsanitary behavior by doubling the fines for passengers who neglect cleanliness within trains and railway premises.
New Penalty Structure: Pay Now or Face the Court
Under the newly implemented 'Indian Railways (Penalty for activities affecting cleanliness at Railway Premises) Amendment Rules, 2026', the fine for littering or creating unhygienic conditions has been hiked from ₹500 to ₹1,000.
The regulations, issued by the Ministry of Railways on August 24, 2026, officially came into effect on August 25, 2026.
Passengers should be aware that the consequences of non-compliance extend beyond the initial fine. If a passenger fails to pay the penalty on the spot, they will be presented before a competent court, where they may face further penalties reaching up to ₹2,000.
Who Will Monitor You?
Nishith Lukas Tigga, the Railway Board’s Director of Traffic Commercial, has directed all regional railways to ensure these rules are strictly enforced. A wide range of authorized personnel are now empowered to identify violations and collect these fines, including:
- Station Masters
- Station Managers
- Ticket Collectors
- Various other operational staff
What Activities are Now Banned?
The updated guidelines target several specific behaviors that compromise the hygiene of railway coaches and stations. You could face a penalty for any of the following prohibited acts:
- Littering in unauthorized areas
- Spitting in public zones or inside coaches
- Public urination or defecation
- Unauthorized cooking, bathing, or washing of clothes and utensils
- Feeding animals
- Defacing railway property with graffiti or posters
A National Push for Cleanliness
This enforcement is part of a massive national sanitation effort. The Indian Railways is currently conducting major cleanliness campaigns, including 'Swachhata Hi Seva' (SHS)-2026 and 'Swachhata Pakhwada'-2026, which are active from September 17 to October 31, 2026.
Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar has urged General Managers of all regional railways to personally lead these initiatives. Additionally, authorized vendors and hawkers are strictly required to maintain dustbins and ensure all waste is disposed of in accordance with these updated sanitation guidelines.