Known as Maharashtra’s cultural and educational capital, Pune is now battling an unexpected menace in its Metro system — rampant tobacco consumption and spitting.
The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha-Metro) has banned the carrying of tobacco, cigarettes, lighters, gas cylinders, alcohol, pet animals, and any other flammable materials. Yet, despite these prohibitions, commuters continue to flout the rules, leaving behind unsightly stains of tobacco spit across the stations.
In just one year, while Pune Metro reported nearly 10 crore passengers, the growing footfall has also brought with it an increase in public nuisance. Newly built Metro stations are already losing their sheen due to the red marks of tobacco and paan spittle on walls and platforms.
During a single week — from September 22 to 29 — Pune Metro officials seized 12.46 kilograms of loose tobacco, 986 pouches of gutkha, 1325 lighters and matchboxes, and several other banned items from commuters across both Metro lines.
Tobacco stains deface the walls of a Pune Metro station, marring its newly built look
Despite repeated appeals and awareness drives, some passengers continue to spit on station walls, escalators, and other public areas. For Maha-Metro, which aims to offer a clean, safe, and comfortable transport system, maintaining hygiene and discipline has become an uphill battle.
Pune Metro currently operates two major corridors — the PCMC to Swargate (Purple Line) and Vanaz to Ramwadi (Blue Line) — both of which have seen a steady rise in daily ridership. However, officials say the behaviour of a few passengers threatens to tarnish the image of the city’s most modern public transport system.
Carrying or consuming flammable and tobacco-related substances is strictly prohibited in the Metro, both for safety and hygiene reasons. Yet incidents of passengers chewing tobacco and spitting inside Metro premises continue to surface, creating health hazards and spoiling the environment for others.
According to Maha-Metro officials, 8.73 kilograms of tobacco were seized from the Vanaz–Ramwadi Blue Line alone. Commuters have also urged stricter enforcement and penalties for offenders.
Chandrashekhar Tambvekar, additional general manager (PR & Administration), Maha-Metro Pune, said, “A fine of Rs 500 is being imposed on offenders. But the long-term solution lies in creating awareness about the social and economic cost of such actions. It not only spoils the city’s image but also creates discomfort for other passengers. People should avoid carrying or consuming tobacco and similar products in public transport.”
Tambvekar added that Maha-Metro continues to provide a safe and seamless service, but the carriage of flammable and tobacco products is still being detected during entry checks. “Those found consuming or littering within metro premises will face strict action. We appeal to all passengers to cooperate.”
Shreya Pandit, a daily commuter, said, “It’s good that the Metro authorities have finally acted. With CCTV cameras installed, monitoring should be easier. I stopped using city buses because of unhygienic conditions, but now I’m starting to see the same problem in the metro stations.”
