India delivers 19 new coaches to modernise Bangladesh Railway

A consignment of 19 broad-gauge LHB passenger coaches, manufactured by India's Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala, is set to be formally rolled out for Bangladesh Railway on Wednesday, marking the latest instalment in an expanding bilateral rail-supply partnership, India's Press Information Bureau announced.

The inaugural rake comprises three air-conditioned sleeper coaches, three AC chair cars, eleven non-AC chair cars and two power cars, each configured to accommodate the specific operational requirements and passenger expectations of Bangladesh Railway. Interiors have been fitted with upgraded reclining seats featuring stainless-steel armrests and footrests, alongside multi-position recline functionality designed to enhance passenger comfort on long-haul journeys.

Safety and convenience have been prioritised throughout the design, with each coach equipped with CCTV surveillance, passenger alarm systems, partially openable windows, a dedicated childcare room and a prayer room. Anticipating the safety hazards posed by rooftop travel during peak hours, engineers have also reinforced the coaches' roof structures, while the underlying body-shell has been redesigned in line with European crashworthiness standards to bolster passenger protection in the event of an accident. The electrical systems have likewise been recalibrated for local compatibility, operating at 415 volts rather than the 750 volts typically used on India's domestic network.

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This latest delivery builds on a longstanding manufacturing relationship: RCF Kapurthala previously supplied 120 broad-gauge LHB coaches to Bangladesh between 2015 and 2016. In 2024, Bangladesh Railway, acting through RITES, commissioned the factory to produce a further 200 broad-gauge coaches across seven distinct variants, underscoring the sustained momentum of cross-border rail cooperation between the two countries.