The revised penalty has been introduced under the Indian Railways (Penalties for Activities Affecting Cleanliness at Railway Premises) Amendment Rules, 2026, notified by the Ministry of Railways in the Official Gazette on August 24.

The move is aimed at improving cleanliness across the railway network and discouraging passengers and visitors from leaving waste on trains and railway premises.

Rs 1,000 fine for littering

Under the amended rules, passengers can be fined Rs 1,000 for throwing, dumping or leaving waste at railway stations, platforms or inside train coaches, except at designated disposal points.

Those who fail to pay the penalty could face prosecution in court, where a fine of up to Rs 2,000 may be imposed.

The penalty can be collected by Station Masters, Station Managers, Ticket Collectors from the Commercial Department, officers of equivalent rank in the Operating Department and other officials authorised by railway authorities.

These activities can also attract penalties

The revised rules cover more than just littering. Several activities are prohibited on railway premises when carried out outside designated areas.

These include:

• Cooking
• Bathing
• Spitting
• Urinating
• Defecating
• Feeding animals or birds
• Washing vehicles
• Washing utensils or clothes
• Storing goods on railway premises

Passengers and visitors are required to use designated areas and disposal points wherever applicable.

No unauthorised posters or graffiti

The rules also prohibit passengers from pasting posters, writing slogans or messages, or drawing on train coaches and other railway property without prior authorisation from railway authorities.

The provision is aimed at preventing defacement of railway infrastructure in addition to maintaining cleanliness.

Vendors and hawkers face responsibility too

Authorised vendors and hawkers operating on railway premises are also required to keep waste collection bins available and ensure that garbage is disposed of at designated locations.

The amended rules came into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.