DMRC: Filming reels, abusing and fighting top offences, 8,000+ commuters penalised

New Delhi: Filming reels, abusing and fighting have emerged as the most common offences in the Delhi Metro, with 2,468 commuters penalised 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 behaviour, an official said.

Nuisance-related violations, including filming reels inside trains, using offensive language, quarrelling and acts of indecency, remained consistently high throughout the period. Month-wise data showed 447 such cases in September, 357 in October, 410 in November and 408 in December, before rising to a peak of 501 in January and dropping to 345 in February.

Unlawful entry into women’s coaches was the second most reported offence, with 2,312 penalties during the period, with January recording 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 penalised for sitting on the floor inside trains, the official said and added 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, and 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 126 penalties overall, with figures fluctuating across months, he shared and said 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 track entry led to 277 penalties, while 43 were fined for quarrelling and nine for carrying offensive items. Proposed amendments may raise fines up to Rs 10,000, aiming to deter violations while decriminalising minor offences under metro laws.