Railways spending Rs 1.14 lakh crore per year on safety: Minister in Rajya Sabha Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday said that the government is prioritizing railway safety. He said various several initiatives are underway to upgrade technology. The Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024 was passed in the Rajaya Sabha through a voice vote. The bill aims to improve the functioning of the Railway Board and diminish the power of state governments. It will be included under the Railway Act, 1989, making the board responsible for making central government decisions on matters relating to the rail network and its maintenance. The minister also mentioned that the field offices, led by General Managers and Divisional Railway Managers, are now significantly more empowered. In the last 11 years, 34,000 km of new railway tracks were laid, which is more than the total network of a developed country such as Germany. More than 45,000km of tracks are electrified now, he said, adding this will help in the reduction in pollution and reduce dependence on fossil fuel.