Public urination to nuisance, Delhi civic body issues 28,000 challans in 5 months

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has issued 27,915 challans and imposed fines totalling Rs 2.31 crore in over five months since the Jan Vishwas Act came into force, officials told news agency Press Trust of India on Tuesday.

Nearly one in four challans was linked to public urination, illegal garbage dumping, defacement of public property and other activities classified as causing a public nuisance. Of the total challans issued from the end of May to October 28, nearly 7,000 were for such offences.

Official data accessed by PTI showed that Rs 99.15 lakh was collected through 16,281 paid challans. Another 11,634 challans involving Rs 1.32 crore remained unpaid.

An analysis of offence-wise data from August 1 to October 30 showed that 3,633 challans involving fines of Rs 18.16 lakh were issued under relevant sections of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act for causing a nuisance. The category covers public urination, defacement of public property, unauthorised posters, dumping garbage in public places and other prohibited activities.

An official told PTI that the number of such challans could have crossed 7,000 over the broader period, based on the proportion recorded in the available data. Of the 3,633 challans, 1,810 worth Rs 9.05 lakh were paid, while 1,823 involving Rs 9.11 lakh remained unpaid.

Leaving rubbish or filth unattended for more than 24 hours drew the second-highest number of penalties. The civic body issued 3,180 challans involving Rs 3.18 lakh for this violation. Another 2,764 challans, carrying fines of Rs 5.52 lakh, were issued for allowing filth to flow onto streets.

The MCD issued 971 challans for failure to follow directions to remove or stop a nuisance. It also issued 557 challans for failure to arrange the collection or removal of garbage, 440 for failure to collect or remove filth or polluted matter, and 276 for failure to remove rubbish from market premises despite directions.

Another 117 challans were issued for failure to provide or maintain clean toilets at premises used by large numbers of people. The civic body also issued 103 challans for failure to provide toilets at markets, cattle sheds or cart stands.

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, was notified by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on May 15. It amended several provisions of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act by replacing criminal action with monetary penalties for specified violations. On May 19, the MCD authorised officers across departments to impose civil penalties and review appeals.

Under the revised provisions, public urination or causing a nuisance, which earlier attracted a fine of up to Rs 50, can now lead to a penalty of Rs 500. The penalty for allowing a ferocious dog to roam without a leash has increased from Rs 50 to Rs 1,000. Defacing a house number can also attract a fine of Rs 1,000.

The Department of Environment Management Services issued the highest number of challans among the civic body's nine departments. It issued 15,961 challans involving Rs 98.11 lakh. Of these, 10,773 were paid, bringing in Rs 41.86 lakh, while Rs 56.25 lakh remained outstanding.

The Public Health Department issued 3,904 challans involving Rs 61.60 lakh, while its Malaria wing issued another 5,599 challans worth Rs 30.77 lakh. The Licensing Department recorded 1,334 challans, followed by the Veterinary Department with 623.

Among the MCD's zones, the City-SP zone, which covers Old Delhi, recorded the highest number of challans at 6,066, involving fines of Rs 32.48 lakh. Of these, 4,636 were paid, amounting to Rs 18.03 lakh.

An MCD official told PTI that monetary penalties alone would not change civic behaviour unless violations had sustained and tangible consequences. "People should not feel that they can repeatedly violate civic rules and get away with paying a small fine. The penalties must act as a deterrent and encourage compliance. Enforcement has to be consistent, with stricter action against repeat offenders," the official said.

The official added that Delhi could adopt parts of Indore's enforcement model, which combines incentives for compliance with strict penalties for violations.

The civic body uses a digital challan system linked to its MCD 311 mobile application. Complaints and violations can be recorded digitally, allowing municipal authorities to track enforcement and follow up on complaints. Overall, the MCD issued nearly 28,000 challans worth Rs 2.31 crore during the period, with more than Rs 1.32 crore in penalties yet to be paid.- Ends