To what extent the proposed Railway Regulatory Authority of India is different from earlier proposal of the Rail Tariff Committee. Critically examine its potential implications for Indian Railways.

Railway Regulatory Authority of India (RRAI) seems to be a super-authority on account of its functions such as:

• Acting as quasi judicial body in regulation of railways
• Consists of powers for economic, tariff, safety and fair acess regulation
• Power of licensing and enhancing competition and setting technical standards
• Rail tariff authority:
• Is an advisory body with no quasi judicial power
• Advise over matters related to fare revision and freight revision.
• Recommendations to railway ministry are non binding in nature
• Is to engage with all the stakeholders before any recommendation
• Has responsibility of increasing the quantum of freight sent and also to reduce cross subsidization

Topics: GS-III: Infrastructure Ports Roads Airports Railways