India Dispatches First 18 of 200 Railway Coaches to Bangladesh Under 915 Crore Deal
India has dispatched the first batch of 18 passenger railway coaches to Bangladesh as part of a 915-crore agreement to supply 200 broad-gauge coaches to Bangladesh Railway. The deliveries are expected to be completed by December 2027.
The coaches have been manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala, Punjab, and dispatched through RITES Limited, a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railways. The first consignment comprises 11 non-air-conditioned Shovon chair cars, three air-conditioned chair cars, two air-conditioned sleeper coaches and two air-conditioned power cars. The power cars feature separate rooms for guards and dedicated luggage space.
The newly manufactured coaches are equipped with several passenger-friendly facilities, including reclining seats, stainless-steel armrests and footrests, CCTV surveillance, passenger alarm systems and partially openable windows. They also feature dedicated baby-care and prayer rooms.
The coaches have been designed to meet Bangladesh Railway’s specific operating requirements. Their roofs have been strengthened to withstand additional loads arising from passengers travelling on top of trains during peak periods.
The electrical systems have also been adapted to Bangladesh’s requirements. While Indian Railways coaches generally use a 750-volt power system, the coaches supplied to Bangladesh are designed to operate on the country’s 415-volt system.
The 915-crore project is being financed by the European Investment Bank. The new coaches are scheduled to be added to Bangladesh Railway’s ageing fleet in phases between October 2026 and December 2027.
RITES announced the dispatch on social media platform X, describing it as another milestone in India’s railway export journey and an achievement in strengthening cross-border connectivity.
The partnership between the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala and Bangladesh Railway dates back to 2015–16, when India successfully supplied 120 LHB broad-gauge passenger coaches to Bangladesh.
Building on that cooperation, Bangladesh Railway placed a fresh order through RITES in 2024 for the manufacture and supply of 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches in seven variants.
RITES, established on April 26, 1974, has more than five decades of experience in transport infrastructure and engineering consultancy. The company exports railway products and services to more than 55 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
The latest consignment marks another step in railway cooperation between India and Bangladesh, with the new coaches expected to improve passenger facilities and modernise Bangladesh Railway’s existing fleet.
