Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024

About 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.
• Independent regulator: 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.

Q1: How many Railway Zones are there in India?

There are 19 zones ((including Metro Railway, Kolkata) on the Indian Railways and 70 divisions in the Indian Railway system. Each division is directed by a DRM or Divisional Railway Manager, who reports to the GM or General Manager of the zone.

News: Amid din, Lok Sabha clears Railways Bill to enhance independence of Board