19 new railway coaches are coming to the country from India.

After a long wait, the new generation of Linke Hoffmann Busch (LHB) coaches brought from India are going to be added to the Bangladesh Railway fleet. The first rake made for Bangladesh Railway is scheduled to be released from the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, Punjab, India on Wednesday (August 12).

These coaches have been specially designed considering the needs of Bangladesh Railway, passenger comfort and the country's management system. The first batch will include AC sleepers, AC chair coaches, general chair coaches and power supply coaches. However, there is some difference in the number of general chair coaches in different reports - some say 11, some say 12.

Part of the 200-coach deal

These coaches from India are part of a larger deal to supply 200 broad gauge passenger coaches. Bangladesh Railways signed a deal to purchase these coaches through Indian company RITES in 2024. The contract value is about 915 crore Indian rupees. The target is to deliver the entire batch in phases by December 2027.

These coaches are being manufactured at the Kapurthala Rail Coach Factory in India. After the first consignment arrives in Bangladesh, it can be taken to the Saidpur Railway Factory through the Darshana border. There, after the necessary tests and technical verification, the coaches will be added to the passenger train.

The new coaches will have modern facilities

As per the needs of Bangladesh, several modern facilities have been added to the new LHB coaches. For the comfort of passengers, there are stainless steel handrails and footrests and reclining seats.

The AC coaches have integrated CCTV surveillance and passenger warning systems along with fans. There are also separate rooms for childcare and prayer rooms.

Special emphasis on safety

Special emphasis has also been given to the safety system of the new coaches. Changes have been made to the main structure of the coaches to increase the safety of passengers in the event of an accident. They have been made to be relatively safer in the event of a collision according to European standards.

Considering the realities of Bangladesh, the roofs of the coaches have also been strengthened. Such structural changes have been made to address the risk of overloading.

Coaches suitable for Bangladesh's electrical system

The electrical system of the coaches has been designed according to the needs of Bangladesh. The new coaches are suitable for operating on 415 volt electrical system. As a result, there will be an opportunity to make them compatible with the existing management system of Bangladesh Railways.

LHB coaches have come from India before

This is the first time that LHB coaches are not coming to Bangladesh from India. Earlier, in 2015-16, the Indian Railway Coach Factory supplied 120 broad gauge LHB passenger coaches to Bangladesh Railways.

Some changes and modern facilities have been added to the coaches this time as per the needs of Bangladesh.

Which train will be added, not yet decided

Which train will the new coaches be added to, has not yet been finalized. Whether a new intercity train will be started with them, or the coaches of an old train will be changed - that has also not been decided yet.

Bangladesh Railways said that after receiving the new coaches, there are plans to launch new rakes on various routes. There is also a possibility of starting new passenger services with the first batch of coaches. However, the necessary tests and technical processes will have to be completed before adding them to passenger transport. Then a final decision will be taken on the trains and routes.

More coaches to arrive in phases

Under this project of 200 broad gauge passenger coaches, the coaches are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh in phases from 2026. The goal has been set to complete the entire supply by December 2027.

Those concerned hope that the new coaches will play a role in reducing the broad gauge coach crisis of Bangladesh Railways as well as improving the quality of passenger service. With the addition of modern safety and passenger-friendly facilities, the new coaches can bring additional comfort to rail travel.