New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS) Delhi Metro has fined at least 3,000 commuters for spitting, squatting and defacing its property inside the stations and has earned over half a million rupees from penalties.
“The rules to impose fines came into effect in November last year. Since then we have imposed fines on around 3,000 violators. The earning is over Rs.600,000,” a Delhi Metro official told IANS Wednesday.

On an average, around 250 people face the heat for breaking rules, said the official, adding that with Metro expanding its network, they urge people to follow rules and keep the premises clean.

The offences ranged from spitting and squatting to defacing Metro property. The penalty varied between Rs.150 and 500. While spitting and squatting at metro stations means a penalty of Rs.200, damaging property leads to a fine of Rs.500.

Authorities said with a growing commuter base, the violations had increased forcing to authorities to bring in the rules. But now the number of vilations has come down marginally.

The Delhi Metro Monday distributed identity cards to its station managers and other officials who have been authorised to impose penalties.

“There were instances of arguments between the staff and offenders who objected to their imposing fines without any authority proof. The new identity card has been launched to address this issue,” another official added.

Delhi Metro ferries around 900,000 passengers every day.