High-level committee suggests autonomy for Indian Railways

Railways should be given autonomy with the government having the role of only framing policy, according to recommendations of a high-level committee which favours complete overhaul of the national transporter within a period of seven years.

The committee, chaired by NITI Aayog member Bibek Debroy, has also said that railways should be divided into two independent organizations – one responsible for track and infrastructure and another to operate trains.

Railways should focus on its core activities to improve its efficiency and compete with the private sector, it said. As part of recommendations, the panel has said that railways needs to be overhauled within seven years.

The process of restructuring should be undertaken under the supervision of Railway Minister who will directly report to the Prime Minister, it has said, adding the restructuring should not be left to the Railway Board.

As part of restructuring, it suggests, the government should be responsible only for the rail sector policy. This will give autonomy to railways and encourage private investment, the panel said in the 323-page interim report.

On the issue of FDI, the report said foreign money isn't going to come in the present circumstances and it will come only if the Railway sector is reformed with the change in incentives and structure. The report said that private investments will come "only if there is an independent umpire, a regulator, responsible for ensuring fair and open access and for setting access charges on the rail track."

It has said railways should be divided into two independent organizations – one responsible for track and infrastructure and another that will operate trains.