Rajya Sabha Passes Railways (Amendment) Bill 2025 Amid Opposition's 'Government Controlling' Concern
New Delhi: The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which is projected to bring several changes in streamlining and modernising railway operations, passed in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. In December last year, Lok Sabha passed the bill that seeks to enhance infrastructure development, safety and technology for the Railways. The bill also aimed to replace the colonial era provisions by amending the Railways Act 1989.
The Upper House passed the bill amid opposition’s allegations that the government is trying to take control of the Railway Board through the Railways (Amendment) Bill. It also pointed out the evasion of scrutiny by a parliamentary panel. Congress member Vivek K Tankha alleged that there is no liberty and sovereignty of the Railway Board under the new bill, and that the very freedom and functional autonomy of the Railway Board is lost.
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Responding to the criticism, the Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw asserted that the bill was designed to simplify existing laws and does not diminish the powers of state governments. The minister stated that the bill instead promotes decentralization by granting full authority to general managers in railway zones to approve projects up to Rs 1,000 crore. The minister highlighted that the bill would empower field offices, boost efficiency, and strengthen cooperative federalism.
The minister said that railways invested significantly in the safety from Rs 8,000 crore under previous administrations to Rs 1.14 lakh. The government could reduce rail fractures by 91 percent, with incidents decreasing from 2,548 in 2013-14 to just a fraction. Vaishnaw went on to say that the introduction of the Kavach safety system, with SIL 4 certification, ensures high-level security in railway operations.
Notably, in the past few years, incidents and increasing train derailments have raised questions about the railway ministry’s efficiency to ensure passengers’ security. As per data shared by the government in 2024, over 200 railway accidents were reported in the past five years, resulting in the death of 351 people and the injuries of around 1000 people.
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The ministry had also draw flak for the disorganization of the passengers and the overcrowded ticketless passengers in premium compartments.
The new railway bill is expected to streamline the development and operation of the railway. The minister said that new locomotives are being with state-of-the-art technology and improved working conditions. The railway amenities such as toilets and other facilities would also be improved.
To reduce overcrowding, the minister said that access controls will be implemented at 60 major railway stations, ensuring only ticketed passengers can enter platforms. To avoid unwanted incidents such as stampedes on special occasions, or in case of a sudden surge of passengers, special trains will be stationed near high-traffic stations to accommodate them, the minister said.
