Indian Railways rolls out passenger coaches for Bangladesh! The Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala has achieved a major milestone on Wednesday with the rollout of its first rake of 19 Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) broad gauge passenger coaches built for Bangladesh Railway.According to the Ministry of Railways, the association between the Rail Coach Factory and Bangladesh Railway dates back to 2015-16, when RCF successfully supplied 120 LHB broad gauge passenger coaches.Following that project, Bangladesh Railway, through RITES, placed another order with RCF in 2024 for the manufacture and supply of 200 broad gauge passenger coaches across seven different variants, further strengthening the partnership between the two organisations.Also Read | Kavach: What makes Indian Railways indigenous world-class tech special
What’s special about India’s train coaches for Bangladesh
The coaches have been tailor-made to meet the operational needs of Bangladesh Railway as well as improve passenger comfort.According to the Indian Railways release, the rake consists of three AC sleeper coaches, three AC chair cars, 11 Non-AC chair cars and two power cars.The ministry said the coaches feature several first-of-their-kind modifications and design enhancements developed specifically for LHB coaches.
Interior of coaches made for Bangladesh Railway
They are fitted with specially designed reclining seats featuring stainless steel armrests and footrests, allowing passengers to choose from multiple reclining positions.The ministry said the coaches also include a range of passenger-focused amenities such as fans in air-conditioned coaches, an integrated CCTV surveillance system, a passenger alarm system, partially openable windows, a Baby Care Room and a Prayer Room.To suit Bangladesh Railway’s operating conditions, the coach roofs have been structurally reinforced to withstand the additional load caused by passengers travelling on the roof during periods of heavy traffic.
Exterior of train coaches made by RCF for Bangladesh Railway
One of the key technological advancements is the adoption of a crashworthy design that complies with the European Standard EN 15227. Achieving this required a complete redesign of the coach body shell to improve crash performance and enhance passenger safety.The coaches have also been equipped with a customised electrical system designed to operate on 415 V, instead of the conventional 750 V system used in coaches operated by Indian Railways.
