Bengaluru: Playing music on speaker mode, watching videos without earphones, and creating disturbance inside Namma Metro coaches could now cost commuters up to Rs 2,500 — five times higher than the earlier fine of Rs 500. The revised penalties took effect on June 19 following amendments to the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002, through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026.According to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), the enhanced penalties apply to Metro rail systems across the country. Any act that causes inconvenience or discomfort to fellow passengers can now attract a penalty of up to Rs 2,500. Offences include travelling in an intoxicated state, playing music or videos on speaker mode, watching content without earphones, shouting, using abusive or obscene language, spitting, sitting on the floor of coaches, vandalising property and engaging in indecent behaviour.The crackdown comes amid a surge in complaints about commuters using mobile phones in speaker mode. BMRCL data shows that security personnel cautioned nearly 57,000 passengers during 2025-26 for playing audio or videos aloud inside Metro coaches. Despite the earlier provision for a Rs 500 penalty, officials admitted that most offenders were merely warned, with fines imposed only in exceptional cases. During the same period, Metro authorities also detected more than 1,900 passengers consuming food inside trains, despite repeated announcements and awareness campaigns prohibiting the practice.The amendments have also significantly increased penalties for several other violations. Displaying posters, banners or placards, or staging demonstrations on Metro premises, now attracts a penalty of up to Rs 10,000, replacing the earlier punishment of imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both.Similarly, unauthorised entry into restricted areas, trespassing on Metro tracks, or unlawfully remaining on Metro premises can now invite a penalty of up to Rs 5,000, instead of the earlier fine of Rs 250 or imprisonment for up to three months. BMRCL officials said trespassing on tracks could also attract additional penalties under other applicable provisions, taking the total liability to more than Rs 20,000.BMRCL chief PRO BL Yeshwanth Chavan said the revised provisions prescribe substantially higher penalties for a wide range of offences, not just those related to passenger nuisance. “Apart from acts that cause inconvenience to fellow passengers, penalties for several other offences have also been increased. Unauthorised entry into or remaining on Metro premises now attracts a penalty of up to Rs 10,000, compared to Rs 1,000 earlier. Trespassing on Metro tracks and disrupting train operations can invite a penalty of up to Rs 25,000. Defacing public notices displayed for the benefit of passengers and using counterfeit Metro tickets are also punishable with penalties of up to Rs 25,000,” Chavan said.Regular Metro commuter Kaushik Raj welcomed the move, saying loud mobile speakers have become one of the biggest irritants for passengers. “It is a nuisance, especially during peak hours when the coaches are packed. While security staff do conduct checks, it is impossible to monitor every train during rush hour. The higher penalties should make commuters think twice before disturbing others,” he said.No legal option for BMTC stillThe problem of noisy commuters is not confined to Namma Metro. Even as BMRCL has armed itself with steeper penalties, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) continues to grapple with the same nuisance on its buses — without the legal authority to levy fines.BMTC recently reiterated its ban on passengers playing loud music or watching videos on speaker mode, with the chief traffic manager (operations) issuing a circular directing conductors to caution commuters who create a disturbance. Similar instructions have been in force since 2019, but officials admit that violations remain widespread.BMTC conductors have no legal provision to impose monetary penalties. Their only recourse is to warn errant passengers and, if they refuse to comply, ask them to get off the bus.Regular commuter Sowmya K said playing music and videos on speaker mode has become a routine nuisance on city buses. “People frequently play music or watch videos without earphones, inconveniencing everyone around them. Conductors do ask them to stop, but many simply ignore the instructions. I’ve started using earphones myself just to block out the noise,” she said.
