The landmark Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2025 on Monday received the Parliament’s nod with the Rajya Sabha clearing the provision, aimed at giving more financial powers to field officers for streamlining and modernising railway operations in India.
The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in December last year.
Addressing the upper house, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the bill’s role in empowering field offices and improving efficiency.
He explained that the Bill aims to simplify existing laws and foster decentralisation by granting full authority to general managers in railway zones to approve projects worth up to Rs 1,000 crore.
The passing of this bill marks a significant milestone in India’s railway modernisation journey, ensuring safer, more efficient, and passenger-friendly services for the future, he added.
The Indian Railways functions through its zones, divisions, and production units under the supervision of the Railway Board. The Railway Board also makes all the policy decisions for Railway operations.
The Railways (Amendment) Act, 2025 will replace the colonial period provisions. Now the provision for the Railway Board will be incorporated into the Railways Act, 1989. The new Act will reduce reference to two Acts as only one Act will need to be referred to.
However, the nature, scope and functioning of the Railway Board, zones, divisions, production units etc. will remain the same.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to state-wise railway development, Vaishnaw cited substantial budget allocations in states where the ruling party is not in power. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and West Bengal have all received significantly higher allocations compared to previous administrations, the minister pointed out.
Over the past 11 years, 34,000 kilometres of new railway tracks have been laid, surpassing Germany’s total rail network. Additionally, electrification of 45,000 kilometres has been completed, significantly reducing dependence on fossil fuels and
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