The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was passed in the Rajya Sabha on March 10, 2025, granting greater autonomy to the Railway Board (RB) by incorporating the proposals of the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905 into the Railways Act, 1989. Earlier, in December 2024, the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha. The amendment will also enhance decentralisation by giving General Managers (GMs) of railway zones full authority to approve projects up to Rs 10 billion.
Notably, this bill will not reduce the power of state governments, and the functioning of the RB, zones, and divisions will remain unchanged.