DMRC collects Rs 38L as fines for sitting on train floor

NEW DELHI: Delhi Metro collected Rs 38 lakh as fines over 11 months from those caught sitting on the floor of the train, a Right to Information (RTI) reply has revealed. The total amount collected from 51,000 people in fines for offences -- including littering, creating a nuisance, travelling with undervalued tokens and obstructing officials on duty -- from June 2017 to May 2018 is Rs 90 lakh. Of this, the highest amount, Rs 38 lakh, was collected for squatting on the floor, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said in response to the RTI query filed. An estimated 19,026 people were fined for sitting on floor of the train, which according to Metro rules is not in line with public etiquette and attracts a penalty of Rs 200.

According to the DMRC 51,441 people were fined from June last year till May this year and a total of Rs 89,94,380 collected. One case of travelling on the roof of a train was also recorded on the Metro's Blue Line for which the offender was charged Rs 50. The Yellow Line saw the maximum fine being collected -- Rs 39,20,220. Other offences which garnered fines included carrying away tokens, carrying offensive material, unlawful entry and walking on metro tracks.

Some passengers say they don't understand why they should be fined for sitting on the floor. Like Dipika Bhatia, a daily commuter from Dwarka to Noida, who takes around 1.5 hours reach home by metro.