Indian Railways to supply Bangladesh a first LHB passenger coach rake

Indian Railways will once again start supplying passenger coaches to Bangladesh Wednesday. The Rail Coach Factory (Kapurthala), will rollout a 19 passenger coach rake for Bangladesh Railway Wednesday. An official statement said this comprises three AC Sleeper Cars, three AC Chair Cars, 11 Non-AC Chair Cars and two Power Cars.This is also the first rake export to Bangladesh after the regime change which saw the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. India had earlier supplied 120 broad gauge (BG) Passenger Coaches in 2015-16.Also Read: Parliamentary panel seeks details on Indian Railways' efforts to boost domestic bullet train capabilitiesRITES Limited, the export arm of Indian Railways, is currently executing this contract to supply 200 Broad Gauge passenger coaches to Bangladesh Railway. European Investment Bank is funding this Rs 915 crore project which was awarded to RITES in May 2024 through a global competitive bidding process.Also Read: Bengaluru: Railway Board accords in-principle approval for BMRCL's CBTC signalling systemA major technological feature is the incorporation of crashworthy design provisions complying with European Standard EN 15227. This required a comprehensive redesign of the car body shell to enhance collision performance and passenger safety. The electrical system of these coaches has also been specially designed for 415 V operation, as against the conventional 750 V system used in Indian Railways coaches, the statement added.

Indian Railways is set to roll out the first rake of 20 Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) broad-gauge passenger coaches manufactured for Bangladesh Railway on August 12, marking another milestone in railway cooperation between the two countries.The coaches have been manufactured by the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala and include customised features designed to meet Bangladesh Railway's specific requirements. The development also highlights RCF's ability to design and manufacture coaches for international customers.20-Coach Rake With Multiple VariantsThe first rake will comprise three AC Sleeper Cars, three AC Chair Cars, 12 Non-AC Chair Cars and two Power Cars.According to Railway Ministry sources, the coaches incorporate several unique design features and modifications. Many of these have been developed for the first time in LHB-type coaches.The customised features reflect RCF's design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities and its ability to adapt its products to the requirements of overseas railway operators. The project is significant not only as an export order but also as an example of Indian railway manufacturing being tailored for an international customer.Partnership Goes Back To 2015-16RCF's association with Bangladesh Railway dates back to 2015-16, when the Kapurthala factory supplied 120 LHB broad-gauge passenger coaches to the neighbouring country.Building on that partnership, Bangladesh Railway placed another order with RCF through RITES in 2024 for 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches in seven variants.A railway official said, "Building on this successful partnership, Bangladesh Railway once again entrusted RCF, through RITES, with a prestigious order in 2024 for 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches in seven different variants."The fresh order suggests that the earlier supply established a foundation for continued cooperation between RCF and Bangladesh Railway. For Indian Railways, repeat international orders can also serve as an important measure of confidence in its manufacturing capabilities.'FIR Must Be Filed Immediately For Every Missing Person, Regardless Of Age Or Gender': Supreme Court Warns States Of Contempt ActionBoost For India's Railway Manufacturing AmbitionsThe rollout of the first rake is expected to mark another important chapter in RCF's journey and further strengthen railway cooperation between India and Bangladesh.It is also likely to open new avenues for Indian Railways and its production units in the international railway market. The ability to customise coaches for overseas customers could prove important as Indian railway manufacturers seek a larger role beyond the domestic market.The development underlines India's growing capabilities in designing and manufacturing modern railway coaches and its potential to contribute to railway infrastructure and passenger mobility projects beyond the country's borders.