Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
India’s Rail Coach Factory (RCF) at Kapurthala in Punjab on Wednesday unveiled the first batch of 19 modern Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) broad-gauge passenger coaches for Bangladesh Railway, marking a fresh step in railway cooperation between the two countries.
The first rake includes three AC sleeper coaches, three AC chair cars, 11 non-AC chair cars and two power cars.
The coaches have been customised for Bangladesh’s operating conditions and passenger requirements. They feature reclining seats with stainless steel handles and footrests, CCTV cameras, emergency alarm systems, additional fans in AC coaches, improved windows, a dedicated prayer room and child-care facilities.
RCF engineers have also made several technical modifications. The roof structure has been strengthened to withstand heavy passenger loads during festivals and peak travel periods, while the coaches have been built to European safety standards with crash-worthy technology aimed at reducing casualties and damage in the event of an accident.
The electrical system has also been modified from the Indian Railways’ standard 750 volts to 415 volts to suit Bangladesh Railway’s power infrastructure.
RCF had earlier supplied 120 passenger coaches to Bangladesh Railway in 2015-16.
Under a new contract awarded in 2024, Bangladesh Railway commissioned 200 coaches through Indian engineering consultancy RITES. The 19 coaches unveiled on Wednesday form the first consignment under that agreement.
The delivery adds to growing railway connectivity and infrastructure cooperation between India and Bangladesh, with New Delhi continuing to supply rolling stock and technical support to its eastern neighbour.