♦ Parliament has passed the Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024 with the Rajya Sabha approving it on 10 March 2025.

♦ The bill seeks to amend the Railways Act 1989 and is intended to enhance the power of the Railways Board and enhance the functioning and independence of the body.

♦ Lok Sabha has already given its nod to this bill on 2024 December 11. 

♦ Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, the Indian railway is undergoing continuous reforms focussing on infrastructure modernisation, technology adoption and improved safety.

♦ He said, that in the last 11 years, 34 thousand new railway tracks have been laid down and 45 thousand kilometres of tracks have been electrified.