Transformational Organisational Restructuring of Indian Railways

On 24^th December, 2019, the Union Cabinet approved a transformational organisational restructuring of the Indian Railways. The reforms announced are in continuation with the series of decisions under which the Railway Budget was merged with the Union Budget, delegation of powers to empower GMs and field officers, allowing competitive operators to run trains etc.

• This reform has been undertaken with the overwhelming support and consensus of Railway officers, at a two-day conference “Parivartan Sangoshthi” held in Delhi on 7^th and 8^th December, 2019. The aim of the restructuring is to modernise and smoothen the working of Indian Railways
• The restructuring of the Railway Board was also recommended by the Bibek Debroy Committee on Indian Railways in 2015.
• Some of the major initiatives in this direction includes-
• Reduced Board Members: The Railway Board will now consist of 4 members and a chairperson, a reduction from the present 8 members.
• One Cadre: Indian Railways will now have only one cadre – Indian Railway Service, instead of current eight services for various departments
• Indian Railway Management Service: Existing eight Group A services of the Railways will be unified into a Central Service called Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS).
• The Railways will now have just two departments-Railway Protection Force and Medical Service Department, with all its other departments coming under one Railway Management System.