It’s no surprise that Mumbai’s railway stations are always crowded. Because of this constant rush, keeping them clean becomes a big challenge. This April, Western Railway (WR) officials took a much stricter approach. Guess what? The results show a sharp rise in action against offenders. Read on to know more!
How Western Railway In Mumbai Is Keeping Stations Clean
This year, in April, authorities on Western Railway penalised 2,657 commuters for spitting and littering across station premises. According to Hindustan Times, this is a huge jump compared to just 227 cases recorded in April last year. It is nearly 12 times higher. The rise is not only in the number of cases but also in the penalties collected. Fines increased sharply by 1,179%, going from ₹42,050 in April 2025 to ₹5,37,850 this April.
Officials say the rise in cases is due to stricter checking. They have increased vigilance and are monitoring stations more closely. Under Section 198 of the Railways Act, anyone caught spitting on station can be fined up to ₹500. Everyone including ticket checkers and ground teams, are now monitoring situation closely.
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Which Stations Saw The Most Cases?
Several busy stations across Mumbai have emerged as major hotspots. Borivali, Dadar, Andheri and Churchgate reported high numbers of violations. As per Hindustan Times, in the Mumbai division, Surat recorded the highest number of cases at 358, which resulted in ₹74,600 in fines. Shockingly, Virar turned out to be the costliest for offenders. Why? Though Virar had fewer cases, 295, it collected the highest total fines of ₹96,390.
Other stations like Bandra Terminus and Mumbai Central also saw a notable number of violations. Meanwhile, smaller stations such as Marine Lines and Palghar reported fewer cases.
Railway officials have improved their system by using better technology. They have added more staff at busy stations and key junctions. They are also using high-technology CCTV cameras to catch offenders more easily.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Anna Frodesiak & Wikipedia
FAQs
How many people were fined for spitting at Western Railway stations?
A total of 2,657 commuters were fined for spitting and littering at Western Railway stations in April this year.
How much fine did Western Railway collect for spitting?
Western Railway collected ₹5,37,850 in fines for spitting and littering in April.
How are authorities monitoring people who spit at Western Railway stations?
Authorities are monitoring offenders through increased staff vigilance and high-definition CCTV cameras at stations.