Metro Crackdown: Penalty Hike Targets Unauthorized Sales

The Delhi Metro is set to impose harsher penalties for unauthorized sales, as Parliament passes the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026. The amendment changes the fine structure, elevating penalties from a former cap of Rs 400 to a maximum of Rs 5,000, under Section 73 of the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002.

Introduced by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada, the legislation seeks to convert certain minor offences from criminal penalties to civil penalties. This step is aimed at reducing the judicial system’s burden by handling minor violations through monetary penalties. Previously set at Rs 400 in April 2019, the penalty increase reflects a focus on streamlining enforcement.

Reports of unauthorized activities inside metro premises are not uncommon. In one instance last December, passengers reported individuals soliciting donations and distributing religious material inside the metro. This move is expected to curb such incidents effectively.