India Supplies First 19 Coaches To Bangladesh
India has rolled out the first set of 19 LHB broad-gauge passenger coaches built specifically for Bangladesh Railway, marking another major milestone in India’s railway manufacturing and export capabilities.
The coaches have been manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, Punjab, and have been customised according to the requirements of Bangladesh Railway. The first rake forms part of a larger order for 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches.
19-Coach Rake Gets Special Configuration
The first rake consists of two AC sleeper cars, three AC chair cars, 11 non-AC chair cars and two power cars.
These are LHB coaches, a design widely used by Indian Railways and known for improved safety, operational efficiency and lower maintenance requirements.
The coaches have also been modified specifically for Bangladesh’s railway requirements rather than simply being standard Indian Railways coaches.
CCTV, Baby Care And Prayer Rooms
One of the most notable aspects of the coaches is their customised passenger facilities.
The coaches feature CCTV cameras for security, baby-care facilities and prayer rooms. These additions have been incorporated to address the specific requirements of passengers using Bangladesh Railway.
The coaches also have strengthened roof structures, an important modification considering the practice of passengers sometimes travelling on train roofs in Bangladesh.
European Crash Safety Standards
Safety has received particular attention in the new coaches.
The car body has been redesigned with a crashworthy structure complying with European Standard EN 15227. The design is intended to improve passenger protection in the event of a collision.
The strengthened structure and other safety modifications represent a significant upgrade over older passenger coaches.
Part Of ₹915 Crore Railway Deal
The 19-coach rake is part of a much larger order for 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches for Bangladesh Railway.
The project is being executed through RITES, with the coaches being manufactured at India’s Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala. The overall deal is valued at around ₹915 crore, with deliveries planned through December 2027.
The order includes different coach configurations to meet Bangladesh Railway’s operational requirements.
India Resumes Coach Exports To Bangladesh
The latest delivery also marks a revival of India’s passenger-coach exports to Bangladesh after a gap of around a decade.
India had previously supplied LHB coaches to Bangladesh Railway, and the new order represents another significant opportunity for Indian railway manufacturing companies to demonstrate their capabilities in the international market.
The coaches being produced in Kapurthala combine Indian manufacturing expertise with modifications specifically requested by the neighbouring country.
Boost For India’s Railway Manufacturing
The export is significant beyond the immediate supply of 19 coaches.
India has increasingly positioned its railway manufacturing sector as an export-oriented industry, supplying locomotives, coaches and other railway equipment to countries across the world.
The Bangladesh order demonstrates how Indian manufacturers can customise railway products for different operating environments and passenger requirements.
A New Chapter In India-Bangladesh Rail Cooperation
The delivery of the first 19 coaches strengthens the long-standing railway cooperation between India and Bangladesh.
For Bangladesh, the new coaches are expected to add modern passenger capacity at a time when the country’s railway system needs additional rolling stock.
For India, the project provides an opportunity to expand railway exports while showcasing the capabilities of its domestic coach manufacturing industry.
Summary
India has rolled out the first set of 19 LHB broad-gauge passenger coaches manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala for Bangladesh Railway. The rake includes AC sleeper, AC chair, non-AC chair and power cars, with customised features such as CCTV, baby-care facilities and prayer rooms. The coaches also feature strengthened roofs and crashworthy designs meeting European safety standards. They are part of a larger 200-coach order worth around ₹915 crore.
