NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill to amend Railway laws with the Centre insisting that it will not lead to the national carrier’s privatisation.
Responding to a debate on the Railways (Amendment) bill, Railway Minister Ashiwni Vaishnaw took a swipe at the Opposition for spreading a fake narrative that the amendment would privatise railways.
“Their fake narrative on Constitution has failed... now this will also fall flat,” he said.
The bill was passed by a voice vote after debate which could not be held earlier due to frequent disruptions of House proceedings last week.
“A few members have said the bill will lead to privatisation of railways, an attempt has been made to set a fake narrative. I want to appeal to them with all sincerity not to do this, their one fake narrative about the Constitution has already failed,” Vaishnaw said.
The Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024, which seeks to enhance the functioning and independence of the Railway Board, was introduced in the Lok Sabha during the previous Parliament session.
Vaishnaw said the number of railway accidents dropped from 1,390 per year in the 1960s to 80 per year in the last decade. Comparing the UPA tenure, he said that 12,000 flyovers and underpasses have been constructed in the last decade, which is three times more than during UPA time.