Railroad Authority Establishes Panel to Adjust General Regulations for Technological Progression
The Railway Ministry has recently constituted a six-member committee to revise the General Rules of Indian Railways, with the aim of adapting to the ongoing modernization of the railways and improving safety and efficiency in train operations. The committee was initiated following the Kanchanjunga Express accident and the Commission of Railway Safety's recommendations, as highlighted in a ministry order issued on July 9, 2025.
The committee, headquartered in New Delhi, has been given a two-month deadline to submit its report. Composed of senior officials from Traffic Transportation, Safety, Civil Engineering, Signal and Electrical Engineering, and the Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management, the committee's objectives include incorporating subsidiary rules, adding or deleting rules based on new operational requirements, aligning the rules with technological advancements, removing outdated rules, and ensuring uniformity among the General Rules and various practices followed by the zones.
One of the key focuses of the committee's review exercise is the incorporation of important subsidiary rules from zonal railways and aligning the rules with newly-introduced technological aids and advancements. This is essential in ensuring comprehensive coverage and relevance to current practices. Experts note that railway zones often frame their own subsidiary rules based on the General Rules, considering local conditions. However, uniformity among these subsidiary rules is sometimes needed for operational efficiency and safety.
The committee will also work towards removing outdated rules and regulations from the General Rules of Indian Railways. This is particularly important in light of the Kanchanjunga Express accident on June 17, 2025, which highlighted the need for uniformity in speed restrictions in different railway divisions in case of failure of the automatic signalling system.
The overall goal is to adapt the rules to the ongoing modernization of Indian Railways, including the adoption of upgraded technological systems and improved operational practices, to enhance safety and efficiency in train operations. The committee's efforts are expected to set guidelines for railway departments to work in harmony and discipline, ensuring safe and efficient train operations.
The Commission of Railway Safety submitted its report on the Kanchanjunga Express accident to the Railway Board on July 11, 2025, providing valuable insights that the committee will consider in its revision of the General Rules. The committee's report is due in two months, marking an important step towards the modernization and improvement of India's railway system.
- The Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management member within the committee will find it imperative to integrate rules related to technology, such as the usage of automated signalling systems, into the revised General Rules, given the Kanchanjunga Express accident's emphasis on uniformity in speed restrictions.
- To further fulfill its objective of adapting to modernization and improving safety, the committee will also investigate the feasibility of incorporating developments in technology, like improvements in cricket score prediction algorithms, to streamline train operations and provide real-time updates to passengers, thereby enhancing their overall travel experience.
