State-owned infrastructure consultancy RITES has successfully dispatched the first batch of 18 broad-gauge passenger coaches to Bangladesh Railway under a significant new agreement. According to reports from Business Standard, the first rake was dispatched on October 12, 2026, marking a major milestone in bilateral railway cooperation. The coaches come in seven different variants and are being manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala, Punjab. The first rake commenced its journey from Hussainpur railway station to Darshana railway station on October 11, 2026, demonstrating the operational efficiency of this international logistics operation.
The first rake comprises 11 non-AC Shovan chair cars, three AC chair cars, two AC sleeper coaches and two AC power cars. As reported by Business Standard, the power cars are specifically fitted with a guard room and space for luggage. RITES has confirmed that its total supplies to date include more than 280 locomotives and over 1,085 coaches and diesel multiple unit (DMU) trainsets. The company maintains Navratna public sector enterprise status and has executed projects in more than 55 countries across multiple regions including Asia, Africa, Latin America, South America and West Asia. RITES has also been tasked with finding buyers for the export of Vande Bharat trainsets.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the partnership between RCF and Bangladesh Railway began in 2015-16, when the Indian factory successfully delivered 120 LHB broad-gauge passenger coaches to the neighbouring country. As reported by The Times of India, building on this collaboration, Bangladesh Railway placed a fresh order through RITES in 2024 for the manufacture and supply of 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches. The order covers seven different variants and further deepens the association between the two organizations. The project, valued at approximately ₹915 crore, was awarded to RITES Limited in May 2024 following a global competitive bidding process and is funded by the European Investment Bank.
The coaches have been customised with several passenger-oriented facilities including fans in air-conditioned coaches, an integrated CCTV surveillance system, a passenger alarm system, windows that can be partially opened, a Baby Care Room and a Prayer Room. According to the Ministry of Railways, the coaches incorporate several design improvements and modifications developed specifically for LHB coaches, including specially designed reclining seats fitted with stainless steel armrests and footrests. The seating arrangement allows passengers to adjust their seats to different reclining positions. The coaches have been customised to suit Bangladesh Railway's operational requirements while providing passengers with greater comfort through features described as first-of-their-kind.
The coaches have been adapted to Bangladesh Railway's operating conditions with structurally reinforced roofs to bear the additional weight of passengers during heavy traffic periods. As reported by The Times of India, another important technological feature is a crashworthy design that meets European Standard EN 15227. The coach body shell has been redesigned to improve its ability to withstand collisions and provide better protection to passengers. The electrical system has been customised for Bangladesh Railway, functioning on a 415 V electrical system unlike the conventional 750 V system used by Indian Railways. The successful logistics operation has already generated a direct revenue of ₹91.73 lakh for the Firozpur Railway Division, managed through coordinated efforts of the Business Development Unit overseen by Divisional Railway Manager Sanjeev Kumar and Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Paramdeep Singh Saini.
