India exports 18-coach LHB train to Bangladesh with CCTVs and baby care rooms

Indian Railways has exported the first batch of LHB passenger coaches to Bangladesh under a new deal. RITES Ltd announced on Tuesday that it had sent the first batch of 18 broad-gauge passenger coaches to Bangladesh Railway under an agreement to supply a total of 200 coaches.The coaches, which come in seven different variants, are being built at the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala, Punjab.Dispatched on October 12, 2026, the first rake consists of 11 non-AC Shovan chair cars, three AC chair cars, two AC sleeper coaches and two AC power cars. The power cars are fitted with a guard room and space for luggage, the company said.RITES added that its supplies to date include more than 280 locomotives and over 1,085 coaches and diesel multiple unit (DMU) trainsets.The company, which holds Navratna public sector enterprise status, has executed projects in more than 55 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, South America and West Asia.

Indian Railways’ coaches for Bangladesh

According to the Ministry of Railways, the partnership between RCF and Bangladesh Railway began in 2015-16, when the Indian factory successfully delivered 120 LHB broad-gauge passenger coaches to the neighbouring country.Also Read | After launching Vande Bharat sleeper train with 16 coaches, Indian Railways now bets on 24-coach variant of new train with pantry car and features better than Rajdhani ExpressBuilding on that collaboration, Bangladesh Railway placed a fresh order through RITES in 2024 for the manufacture and supply of 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches.

The order covers seven different variants and further deepens the association between the two organisations.The coaches have been customised to suit Bangladesh Railway's operational requirements while providing passengers with greater comfort.The ministry said the coaches incorporate several design improvements and modifications developed specifically for LHB coaches, including features described as first-of-their-kind.Among these are specially designed reclining seats fitted with stainless steel armrests and footrests. The seating arrangement allows passengers to adjust their seats to different reclining positions.

A range of passenger-oriented facilities has also been incorporated. These include fans in air-conditioned coaches, an integrated CCTV surveillance system, a passenger alarm system, windows that can be partially opened, a Baby Care Room and a Prayer Room.The coaches have also been adapted to Bangladesh Railway's operating conditions. Their roofs have been reinforced structurally to bear the additional weight of passengers travelling on top of coaches during periods of heavy passenger traffic.Another important technological feature is a crashworthy design that meets European Standard EN 15227. To achieve the required safety performance, the coach body shell was redesigned to improve its ability to withstand collisions and provide better protection to passengers.The electrical system has also been customised for Bangladesh Railway. Unlike the conventional 750 V system used in coaches operated by Indian Railways, these coaches are designed to function on a 415 V electrical system.Also Read | Delhi-Varanasi in less than 4 hours, Mumbai-Pune in 48 minutes, Chennai-Bengaluru in over 1 hour: Indian Railways bets on seven new bullet train corridors in Rs 16 lakh crore high-speed push