Bangladesh Railway set to receive 19 LHB coaches from India

Bangladesh Railway is set to receive its first batch of 19 modern Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) passenger coaches from India on Wednesday (August 12), marking a major addition to the country’s broad-gauge fleet.

The first rake, manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, Punjab, is scheduled to leave the facility for Bangladesh as part of a larger order for 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches. The coaches are designed to offer improved passenger amenities and enhanced safety features.

According to a statement issued by India’s Press Information Bureau, the first 19-coach rake has been configured to meet Bangladesh Railway’s operational requirements. It comprises three air-conditioned sleeper coaches, three air-conditioned chair cars, 11 general chair cars and two power cars.

The rake is expected to enter Bangladesh through the Darshana border and will subsequently be taken to the Saidpur Railway Workshop for inspection and technical testing. The coaches will be deployed for passenger services only after completing the necessary trials and safety checks.

The delivery is part of a contract signed in 2024 for 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches through Indian state-owned engineering consultancy RITES Ltd. The contract is valued at around 9.15 billion Indian rupees, with the full consignment scheduled to be delivered by December 2027.

The new LHB coaches feature several passenger-oriented upgrades, including stainless-steel handrails and footrests, reclining seats and partially opening windows. Air-conditioned coaches will also be equipped with integrated CCTV surveillance and passenger alarm systems.

Other facilities include dedicated baby-care rooms and prayer spaces, while the overall design places greater emphasis on passenger safety and comfort.

Bangladesh Railway plans to introduce new rakes on various routes after the coaches are tested and certified for operation. The first batch could also be used to launch new passenger services, although the routes and trains have yet to be finalised.

Kapurthala’s Rail Coach Factory previously supplied Bangladesh Railway with 120 LHB broad-gauge passenger coaches in 2015-16. The latest order represents a further expansion of cooperation between the two sides in modernising Bangladesh’s railway fleet.

The planned 200-coach procurement was previously announced in Parliament, with deliveries scheduled to be made in phases between June 2026 and December 2027.