NEW DELHI: The next time you visit New Delhi Railway Station and throw paper, leave eatables on the floor, or spit or urinate in public, get ready to cough up a fine between Rs 200 and Rs 500.

Northern Railway has been collecting between Rs 75,000 and Rs 90,000 as fines every week through this drive. Teams of RPF officials and ticket collectors have been formed to keep an eye and catch offenders. Officials added that those who refused to pay were taken to a magistrate.

“We have tried to educate passengers to keep the stations clean, but now we have started imposing hefty fines. We will soon extend this to other stations soon,” said Arun Arora, Delhi divisional railway manager, Northern Railways.

Officials said fines collected are expected to increase as the drive is going to be intensified in the coming weeks. “It is not possible to keep stations clean unless passengers, vendors and those using the premises contribute equally. Vendors have been strictly told to have a waste bin near their stalls. We are also ensuring that dustbins are emptied every two hours. We expect weekly fines to increase to Rs 1 lakh. The drive will be extended to Old Delhi station within a week,” Arora said.

In June, Northern Railways collected Rs 2.3 lakh as fines at New Delhi railway station. Also, 50 people were prosecuted for not paying fines and taken to a magistrate, where they eventually paid the penalty. RPF personnel have been assisting railway staff as many people aggressively defended themselves and refused to pay the fine.

“Officials have been strictly directed not to be lenient. However, in cases where the offenders could not pay the entire sum, they were fined Rs 50-100 and let off with a warning,” the DRM added.