DELHI (Metro Rail News): India has dispatched the first 18 passenger coaches to Bangladesh under a contract for 200 broad-gauge coaches worth ₹915 crore. The delivery marks the start of a supply programme aimed at renewing Bangladesh Railway’s ageing fleet, with all coaches expected to arrive by December 2027.

The coaches were manufactured at Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, and are being supplied through RITES, the railway sector’s export and engineering consultancy arm.

First shipment includes 4 railway coach variants 

The initial consignment contains four of the seven coach types covered by the contract. It includes:

1) 11 non-air-conditioned Shovon chair cars

2) Three air conditioned chair cars

3) Two air conditioned sleeper coaches 

Sponsored

4) Two air conditioned power cars

The power cars include separate rooms for guards and luggage. All coaches have features centred around the comfort of passengers, like fans in AC coaches, a CCTV system, an alarm system, partially openable windows, room for babies and a room made for prayer.

The seating arrangement is specifically designed with reclining chairs with stainless steel armrests and stainless steel footrest. This gives enhanced comfort to the passengers offering multiple reclining positions.

Coaches adapted to Bangladesh Railway’s requirements

These coaches are specifically adjusted to be suitable according to the conditions of people and railways in Bangladesh.

1. The roof structure has been strengthened to withstand the weight of people  travelling above the roof in peak traffic hours .
2. The electrical system in the coaches have been adapted as per Bangladesh Railway’s requirement.
3. Coaches supplied to Bangladesh operate on 425 volts lower than the Indian Railway coaches which operate on 750-volt power systems.

₹915 crore railway contract runs until December 2027

Bangladesh Railway placed the order through RITES in 2024 for 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches in seven variants. The contract is valued at ₹915 crore and is financed by the European Investment Bank.

Deliveries are scheduled from October 2026 through December 2027. The programme builds on an earlier partnership between RCF and Bangladesh Railway, which saw the supply of 120 LHB broad-gauge passenger coaches during 2015-16.

RITES, a Navratna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, handles the export of railway rolling stock and related services to international markets.

Also Read: Rail Coach Factory rolls out first batch of 19 LHB coaches for Bangladesh Railway