India’s customised LHB coaches for Bangladesh Railway.
NEW DELHI: The Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala, Punjab, has rolled out the first rake of 19 customised Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) broad gauge passenger coaches for Bangladesh Railway.
The coaches were flagged off on August 12, 2026, marking the resumption of passenger coach exports from India to Bangladesh after a gap of nearly a decade.
This delivery forms part of a larger 2024 contract for the supply of 200 broad gauge passenger coaches in seven variants.
Composition of the First Rake
The 19-coach rake comprises:
• 3 AC Sleeper Cars
• 3 AC Chair Cars
• 11 Non-AC Chair Cars
• 2 Power Cars
Special Features and Passenger Amenities
The coaches have been specially designed and modified to meet the operational requirements of Bangladesh Railway and the needs of its passengers.
Key features include:
• A dedicated Prayer Room
• A Baby Care Room
• Integrated CCTV surveillance system
• Passenger alarm system
• Specially designed reclining seats with stainless steel armrests and footrests offering multiple reclining positions
• Partially openable windows
• Fans in the air-conditioned coaches
Several of these modifications have been incorporated in LHB-type coaches for the first time.
Enhanced Safety and Structural Design
The coaches incorporate a crashworthy design that complies with the European Standard EN 15227. This required a comprehensive redesign of the car body shell to improve collision performance and passenger safety.
The roof structure has also been strengthened to withstand additional loading that can arise from passengers travelling on the roof during peak traffic periods in Bangladesh.
The electrical system has been configured for 415 V operations, in contrast to the conventional 750 V system used in Indian Railways coaches.
Background of the Contract
The current order was awarded to RITES Limited, a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, through a global competitive bidding process in 2024.
The ₹915 crore project is financed by the European Investment Bank and covers the manufacture and supply of 200 broad gauge passenger coaches.
RCF Kapurthala had earlier supplied 120 LHB broad gauge passenger coaches to Bangladesh Railway during 2015–16.
The latest rollout renews that partnership and continues India’s role as a supplier of railway rolling stock to its neighbour.
The customised coaches reflect Indian Railways’ ability to adapt its manufacturing capabilities to the specific operational and passenger requirements of overseas customers.
The delivery strengthens bilateral cooperation in the railway sector and underscores the growing export potential of India’s coach manufacturing units.
Following the rollout of the initial rake from Kapurthala, subsequent shipments under the 200-coach export contract are scheduled to be delivered progressively through December 2027.
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