Rajya Sabha Approves Landmark Railways Bill

The Rajya Sabha has successfully passed the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2025, marking a crucial step in the modernization and restructuring of railway operations across India.

- TIKAM SHARMA

Introduced by Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Railways, Communications, and Electronics and IT, this bill aims to enhance operational efficiency while empowering regional railway offices with greater decision-making authority.

During the parliamentary session, Vaishnaw clarified that the bill does not undermine the powers of state governments; rather, it strengthens cooperative federalism by decentralizing administrative processes.

A key provision of the legislation grants general managers of railway zones the autonomy to approve projects valued at up to Rs 1,000 crore, thereby minimizing bureaucratic hurdles and accelerating railway infrastructure development.

The bill effectively repeals outdated colonial-era provisions and consolidates the functions of the Railway Board into the Railways Act, 1989.

This legislative update streamlines the regulatory framework by replacing multiple archaic acts with a single, comprehensive legal structure, facilitating smoother governance and administrative efficiency.

In his address, Vaishnaw underscored the government's commitment to ensuring balanced railway development across all states, regardless of their political leadership.