New Delhi, April 2 Filming, abusive behavior, and fighting have emerged as the most common offenses on the Delhi Metro, with 2,468 commuters penalized between September and February.
This was followed by unlawful entry into the women's coach, which saw 2,313 penalties.
A total of 8,251 penalties were imposed – 1,316 in September, 1,381 in October, 1,275 in November, 1,242 in December, 1,656 in January, and 1,381 in February – indicating stricter enforcement and varying commuter behavior, an official said.
Violations related to nuisance, including filming inside trains, using offensive language, arguing, and indecent behavior, remained consistently high throughout the period. Data by month showed 447 such cases in September, 357 in October, 410 in November, and 408 in December, before peaking at 501 in January and dropping to 345 in February.
Unlawful entry into women's coaches was the second most reported offense, with 2,312 penalties during the period. January recorded the highest at 559 cases, compared to 261 in September, 426 in October, 317 in November, 284 in December, and 465 in February, the DMRC said.
Similarly, 2,249 commuters were penalized for sitting on the floor inside trains, the official said, adding that the monthly figures stood at 408 in September, 395 in October, 287 in November, 345 in December, 394 in January, and 420 in February.
Cases of spitting accounted for 767 penalties, with a gradual decline towards the end of the period. There were 134 and 137 cases in September and October, respectively. The number rose to 187 in November before dropping to 107 in January and 85 in February, he said.
Drunkenness led to a total of 126 penalties, with figures fluctuating across months. The cases stood at 14 each in September and October, rising to 29 in November, followed by 22 in December, 23 in January, and 24 in February.
Unlawful entry and walking on metro tracks resulted in 277 penalties, increasing from 42 cases in September to 61 in January before easing to 40 in February, the official added.
In addition, 43 commuters were penalized for arguing, while nine cases were registered for carrying offensive materials, he said.
No instances of demonstrations inside metro premises or travelling on the roof of trains were reported during the period, he added.
Overall, enforcement figures fluctuated across months. Most offenses attracted a standard penalty of Rs 200, including nuisance, spitting, drunkenness, arguing, and carrying offensive materials, he said, noting that nuisance and spitting cases formed a major share.
Higher penalties were imposed for serious violations, with demonstrations attracting Rs 500, track trespassing Rs 150, and unlawful entry into women's coaches Rs 250, he added.
The Centre has proposed enhanced monetary penalties for various offenses under the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002, through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, aimed at strengthening deterrence while decriminalizing minor violations.
Under the proposed changes, offenses such as drunkenness, nuisance, spitting, sitting on the floor, and arguing may attract penalties of up to Rs 2,500, replacing earlier provisions of lower fines.
Carrying offensive materials is also proposed to be brought under a similar enhanced penalty framework.
For unlawful entry, including entering coaches reserved for women, the penalty may be increased up to Rs 5,000.
Acts such as demonstrations inside metro premises or refusal to remove unauthorized writings or posters may attract penalties of up to Rs 10,000 under the proposed amendments.