Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 : Passed
The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was passed recently in the Lok Sabha, despite disruptions.
- Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 All the provisions in the erstwhile colonial-era Indian Railway Board Act, 1905, are proposed to be incorporated in the Railways Act, 1989, through this Bill.
- It is intended to simplify the legal framework and reduce the need to refer to two laws.
- The Bill also proposes to amend the Railways Act, 1989, to provide statutory backing to the Railway Board, which has functioned without such a sanction since it began functioning.
- The statutory powers seek to enhance the functioning and independence of the Railway Board.
- It also authorises the Union government to decide the composition of the Railway Board.
- This includes the number of members, their terms of service, and their qualifications and experience.
- The bill proposes to establish an independent regulator to oversee tariffs, safety, and the participation of the private sector in the Railways.
- The bill also proposes to improve operational efficiencies and decentralize powers, granting greater autonomy to railway zones.
- The amendment is expected to speed up the approval process for train services that will help meet pending demands from various regions.
- The bill will allow the government to fast-track infrastructure and superfast train operations.
