Indian Railways has increased the penalty for littering and other activities affecting cleanliness at railway stations and on trains to Rs 1,000, according to a report by The Indian Express. The revised
rules replace the earlier maximum fine of Rs 500 and are aimed at discouraging passengers and others from violating cleanliness norms on railway premises.
The Ministry of Railways issued a gazette notification on August 24, amending the Indian Railways (Penalties for Activities Affecting Cleanliness at Railway Premises) Rules, 2012.
The amended rules are called the Indian Railways (Penalties for Activities Affecting Cleanliness at Railway Premises) Amendment Rules, 2026 and came into force upon their publication in the Official Gazette, the report mentioned.
Rs 1,000 Penalty For Cleanliness Violations
Under the amended Rule 4, the earlier provision that prescribed a fine of up to Rs 500 has been replaced with a penalty of Rs 1,000.
The notification further states that if the penalty is not paid, the person can be produced before a competent court having jurisdiction. The court may impose a fine of up to Rs 2,000.
This means passengers who violate the specified cleanliness rules could face a significantly higher financial consequence than under the previous provision.
What Can Attract The Rs 1,000 Penalty?
According to the report, passengers and other people on railway premises cannot throw or leave litter at stations, elsewhere on railway premises or inside train coaches, except at designated places.
The rules also prohibit several other activities unless facilities have specifically been provided for them.
These include cooking, bathing, spitting, urinating, defecating, feeding animals or birds, and washing vehicles, utensils or clothes on railway premises.
Storing items on railway premises is also prohibited unless the relevant facilities have been provided.
Passengers are additionally barred from putting up posters or writing and drawing on train coaches or railway property without permission.
Any act that damages or defaces railway property can also invite action under the cleanliness rules.
The requirements also extend to authorised vendors and hawkers. They are required to keep dustbins or waste containers for collecting litter and ensure that the collected waste is properly disposed of.
Who Can Collect The Penalty?
The rules also specify the railway officials authorised to enforce the cleanliness provisions and collect the penalty.
The report states that these include Station Masters or Station Managers, Ticket Collectors of the Commercial Department, officials of an equivalent rank in the Operating Department, and other officials authorised by the Railway Administration to enforce the rules.
Railways Also Launches Drinking Water Cleanliness Drive
Separately, on August 24, Indian Railways launched a special cleanliness drive focused on the cleaning and disinfection of drinking-water tanks and filtration systems at stations.
The initiative is aimed at ensuring the continued availability of safe and clean drinking water for passengers, according to an official release carried by ANI.
As part of the drive, Zonal Railways will inspect water sources, treatment and filtration plants, underground and overhead tanks, PVC tanks, water booths, taps and other water dispensing points.
Drinking-water tanks are to be drained, desludged, scrubbed and disinfected, while tank covers, vents and overflow points will be checked for protection against birds, animals and algae.
Damaged tanks, pipelines and filters will be repaired or replaced, leakages will be addressed, and steps will be taken to prevent cross-connections between potable and non-potable water systems.
Water coolers, UV/RO purification systems and Water Vending Machines will also come under the inspection and maintenance exercise.
