The Union Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu has said that for quick decision-making, Ministry of Railways has already delegated the power in respect of stores and works tenders to General Managers of all Zonal Railways and it intends to further delegate, de-centralise and de-regulate. Introducing the Railway Budget for 2015-16 in Parliament today he said that rules and regulations governing freight business will be simplified and made more customer friendly. For example, Railways has abolished the system of obtaining Rail Transport Clearance from the Ministry. It also intends simplifying the entire process of construction of private sidings.

 Shri Prabhu informed the members that Indian Railways will require new governance structures, new delivery mechanisms, extensive management reforms and transparency across the board.

Delegation of powers to railway general managers to speed decision making and simplify freight and siding procedures. Delegation of powers to General Managers is being expanded to speed decision making for stores and works tenders, with further decentralisation and de regulation planned. Freight rules will be simplified and made more customer friendly; Rail Transport Clearance from the Ministry has been abolished; and the process for private siding construction will be streamlined. These measures are accompanied by proposals for new governance structures, updated delivery mechanisms, management reforms and greater transparency to support the operational and regulatory changes.