The Railways Act, 1989 · XVI — MISCELLANEOUS

Section 200. Repeal and saving

In force · As amended up to 2026-08

200. Repeal and saving .—[1] [(1) The Indian Railways Act, 1890 (9 of 1890) and the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905 (4 of 1905) are hereby repealed.] (2) Notwithstanding the repeal of[2] [the Indian Railways Act, 1890 (9 of 1890) and the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905 (4 of 1905) (hereinafter referred to as the repealed Acts)]— (a) anything done or any action taken or purported to have been done or taken (including any rule, notification, inspection, order or notice made or issued, or any appointment or declaration made or any licence, permission, authorisation or exemption granted or any document or instrument executed or any direction given or any proceedings taken or any penalty or fine imposed) under[3] [the repealed Acts] shall, in so far as it is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act; (b) any complaint made to the Railway Rates Tribunal under sub-section (1) of section 41 of[4] [the Indian Railways Act, 1890 (9 of 1890)] but not disposed of before the commencement of this Act and any complaint that may be made to the said Tribunal against any act or omission of a railway administration under[4] [the Indian Railways Act, 1890 (9 of 1890)] shall be heard and decided by the Tribunal constituted under this Act in accordance with the provisions of Chapter VII of this Act. (3) The mention of particular matters in sub-section (2) shall not be held to prejudice or affect the general application of section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 (10 of 1897), with regard to the effect of repeal. 1. Subs. by Act 9 of 2025, s. 4, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 20-8-2025). 2. Subs. by s. 4, ibid ., for certain words (w.e.f. 20-8-2025). 3. Subs. by s. 4, ibid ., for "the repealed Act" (w.e.f. 20-8-2025). 4. Subs. by s. 4, ibid ., for "the repealed Act" (w.e.f. 20-8-2025). STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS The Indian Railways Act, 1890 was enacted at a time when the railways in India were mostly managed by private companies. The Government of India primarily played the role of a coordinating and regulating authority in various matters, such as, inter-railway movement of traffic, fixation of rates, sharing of revenue earnings of through traffic, apportionment of claims liability amongst the railways, providing reasonable facilities to passenger and goods traffic, etc. This role was accordingly reflected in the Act. But now, except for a very small portion of the railways, the entire railway system has become part of the Government of India. To give effect to the changes in the railway system from time to time, the Act had also undergone changes a number of times since its enactment in 1890. In addition, as some of the original provisions enacted in 1890 had continued without any change, a need for their replacement by new provisions more responsive to the needs of the present day was felt and some other provisions have become redundant. There has also been a demand, both within and outside Parliament, for the reenactment of the Act so as to reflect the large number of changes that have occurred in the railways. It has, therefore, become necessary to consolidate and amend the law relating to railways by a new Railway Act.

Source: India Code

How this section changed

  1. substituted by Act 9 of 2025, s. 4

    In force from 20 Aug 2025

    Footnote: 1. Subs. by Act 9 of 2025, s. 4, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 20-8-2025).

  2. substituted by Act 9 of 2025, s. 4

    In force from 20 Aug 2025

    Footnote: 2. Subs. by s. 4, ibid ., for certain words (w.e.f. 20-8-2025).

  3. substituted by Act 9 of 2025, s. 4

    In force from 20 Aug 2025

    Earlier wording: “the repealed Act”

    Footnote: 3. Subs. by s. 4, ibid ., for "the repealed Act" (w.e.f. 20-8-2025).