Punjab’s Rail Coach Factory to roll out first 19-coach trainset for Bangladesh Railway

RCF Kapurthala set to roll out first 19-coach LHB rake for Bangladesh Railway (Image: Ministry of Railways)

The coaches have been specially designed to meet the needs of Bangladesh Railway and its passengers. They feature reclining seats with stainless steel armrests and footrests. Passengers can adjust the seats to different reclining positions for a more comfortable journey.

“The coaches are equipped with a number of passenger-centric features, including fans in AC coaches, an integrated CCTV surveillance system, a passenger alarm system, partially openable windows, a Baby Care Room and a Prayer Room. Considering the specific operating conditions, the roof structure has been strengthened to withstand additional loading arising from passengers travelling on the roof during peak traffic periods,” the Ministry of Railways said.

RCF Kapurthala set to roll out first 19-coach LHB rake for Bangladesh Railway (Image: Ministry of Railways)

The Railways further said that the coaches feature a crashworthy design that complies with the European Standard EN 15227. To improve safety in the event of a collision, the car body shell has been redesigned to better withstand impacts.

The electrical system has also been specially designed to operate at 415 V, instead of the conventional 750 V system used in Indian Railways coaches.

RCF Kapurthala set to roll out first 19-coach LHB rake for Bangladesh Railway (Image: Ministry of Railways)

In April, Bangladesh Railway Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam informed Parliament that the country will import 200 Broad Gauge (BG) passenger coaches from India. The minister added that 200 BG coaches will be inducted into the Bangladesh Railway fleet between June 2026 and December 2027.

Earlier, RITES Limited had supplied 120 Broad Gauge (BG) LHB passenger coaches, 36 BG locomotives and 10 Meter Gauge locomotives to Bangladesh Railway. The company has also collaborated with Bangladesh Railways on several other railway infrastructure projects.

In May 2026, RITES CMD Rahul Mithal said the company was aiming to step up the supply of coaches, with at least three to four rakes expected to be delivered during the current financial year after the first rake.

“Once the first rake goes, we should be able to maximize as many rakes, with gaps of at least three-four rakes minimum in this FY. We are trying to step it up, the production rate will increase after the delivery of the first rake,” he added.