200 broad-gauge coaches to join fleet from India: Minister

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam has said that the process has begun to procure 200 new broad-gauge railway coaches from India to enhance the capacity of Bangladesh Railway and improve passenger services.

The minister shared the information during the question-and-answer session on the 12th day of the first session of the Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday morning.

He said the project is being implemented with financing from the European Investment Bank, and the coaches are expected to be added to the railway fleet gradually between June 2026 and December 2027. Once the new coaches are delivered, it will help introduce new train services and determine additional routes across the country.

Responding to a written question from Md Ilias Molla, Member of Parliament from Faridpur-1 constituency, the minister also said the government is actively considering launching new train services from Kamalapur Railway Station to Faridpur, Rajbari, Madhukhali and Gopalganj. However, the operation of these new routes will depend largely on the availability of new coaches and locomotives.

He added that once the coaches from India begin arriving, the railway authorities will finalize route planning based on availability. The government aims to strengthen and modernize rail connectivity in the southern regions of the country through these new coaches.

In response to another question from Md Nurul Islam, MP from Chapainawabganj-3 constituency, the minister also highlighted existing challenges in the railway sector.

He said that although passengers from Chapainawabganj can currently travel to Dhaka by the Bonolota Express, the western region is facing a severe shortage of locomotives, coaches and manpower.

Due to this shortage, 19 mail or commuter trains and 21 local trains have remained suspended. Additionally, an average of seven to eight freight trains have to be pushed back daily because of insufficient crew members and locomotives.

The minister assured parliament that the addition of the new coaches would help address a significant portion of these challenges and contribute to the broader modernization of the country’s railway network.