If you have a habit of playing music on speaker, watching Instagram Reels or YouTube videos without earphones, or taking loud phone calls inside the Chennai Metro, it could now cost you up to Rs 2,500. Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has reminded commuters that creating noise or disturbing fellow passengers is now subject to a significantly higher penalty under revised rules.

The move is aimed at making metro travel quieter, more comfortable and hassle-free for thousands of daily commuters. Authorities have urged passengers to use headphones or earphones while consuming audio or video content and to avoid any behaviour that creates unnecessary disturbance inside trains or on metro station premises.

The higher penalty comes after the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) revised the punishment under Section 59 of the Metro Railways (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2002, through a Gazette notification issued on June 19, 2026, following amendments made under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026.

Under the revised provision, the maximum penalty for causing a nuisance has increased from Rs 500 to Rs 2,500.

What can get you fined?

According to Chennai Metro, commuters may face action if they:

  • Play music without headphones.
  • Watch videos or social media reels on speaker.
  • Use speaker mode during phone calls.
  • Speak loudly on mobile phones in a way that disturbs others.
  • Create any other noise or behaviour that causes discomfort to fellow passengers.

Apart from the monetary penalty, authorised metro officials also have the power to remove passengers from metro premises if they violate the rules.

In a public advisory, Chennai Metro appealed to commuters to be considerate while travelling.

It warned that playing music on speaker, watching videos at high volume or creating loud disturbances inside trains and stations can attract a fine of up to Rs 2,500, while urging passengers to use headphones and respect fellow commuters to keep metro journeys comfortable for everyone.

Passenger etiquette campaign

The reminder comes weeks after CMRL carried out a commuter awareness campaign promoting safe and disciplined travel. Along with encouraging passengers to use headphones, the campaign also highlighted basic metro etiquette, including allowing passengers to exit before boarding, keeping train doors clear, standing behind the yellow safety line on platforms and following the "Stand Left, Walk Right" rule on escalators.

With passenger numbers continuing to grow, Chennai Metro says these measures are intended to reduce unnecessary disturbances and improve the overall travel experience for everyone.