Many passengers prefer to carry home-cooked food while traveling by train, eating it during their journey instead of buying meals from IRCTC or onboard vendors. However, this habit is proving costly for many, as they end up paying fines for violating cleanliness rules.
Railway staff report that after eating, several passengers throw away leftover food and wrappers inside the train or at platforms, creating unhygienic conditions. Those caught are fined, and often feel embarrassed in front of fellow travelers.
Indian Railways Crackdown on Littering and Smoking
The Indian Railways has intensified its cleanliness drive to keep trains and stations tidy. Special campaigns are being conducted against littering and smoking across various divisions.
In the Jhansi Division of North Central Railway, action has been taken against 5,113 passengers since September for littering and smoking. A record fine of ₹10,26,670 has been collected, marking the largest crackdown to date. Similar campaigns are being run in other divisions as well.
Why Carrying Homemade Food Can Lead to Fines
While passengers are not fined for simply bringing their own food, the issue arises when leftovers and packaging are disposed of irresponsibly. Throwing food waste, plastic wrappers, or bottles inside coaches or on platforms leads to heavy penalties under Railway cleanliness rules.
When caught, many passengers make excuses, but railway staff continue to impose fines to ensure a cleaner travel environment. In addition, fellow passengers often criticize such behavior, making the offenders feel awkward and avoid eye contact during the journey.
Why Cleanliness Campaigns Are Important
The Railways has explained that littering and unhygienic practices damage the beauty, cleanliness, and overall image of stations. Open spitting, dirty toilets, and leftover food create foul odors and increase the risk of infections. This not only affects passenger health but also spoils the travel experience.
To improve travel comfort and hygiene, Indian Railways is committed to continuing strict action against violators under its Swachhata (cleanliness) campaigns.
Appeal to Passengers
Indian Railways has urged passengers to:
- Maintain cleanliness in trains and stations.
- Dispose of waste only in designated bins.
- Avoid smoking or spitting in open areas.
- Cooperate with staff to keep the travel environment healthy and clean.
Such campaigns will continue across the country, and strict penalties will be imposed on those who fail to follow the rules.
Conclusion
The Indian Railways Rules 2025 highlight that carrying home-cooked food is not banned, but careless disposal of leftovers can cost passengers a fine. With over ₹10 lakh in fines already collected in just one division, the message is clear—every traveler must take responsibility for cleanliness.
Maintaining hygiene not only improves the passenger experience but also strengthens the image of Indian Railways as a modern and efficient transport system.
