India Dispatches First 18 Railway Coaches to Bangladesh Under 200-Coach Export Agreement

India has dispatched the first consignment of 18 broad-gauge passenger coaches to Bangladesh Railway, marking an important milestone in the country’s railway rolling stock exports. The coaches were manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala, Punjab, and dispatched on October 12, 2026, under an agreement executed through RITES Limited, the export arm of Indian Railways.

The shipment forms part of a contract awarded to RITES in 2024 for supplying 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches in seven variants to Bangladesh Railway. The project demonstrates India’s capability to manufacture customised railway rolling stock for international markets while strengthening transport infrastructure cooperation with neighbouring countries.

The first consignment includes 11 non-air-conditioned Shovon Chair Cars, three air-conditioned Chair Cars, two air-conditioned Sleeper Cars and two air-conditioned Power Cars equipped with guard accommodation and luggage space. RITES confirmed the dispatch on October 13, describing it as another achievement in India’s railway export programme.

RITES Begins Delivery of 200 Passenger Coaches to Bangladesh

RITES Limited, a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Railways, is executing the export contract through Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala. The agreement covers the manufacture and supply of 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches designed to meet Bangladesh Railway’s operational requirements.

The first rake of 18 coaches represents the beginning of deliveries under the programme. The consignment includes four of the seven coach variants covered by the overall order, providing a combination of seated accommodation, sleeper facilities and power cars for train operations.

RITES secured the contract in May 2024 through an international competitive bidding process. The project is supported by financing from the European Investment Bank and has a reported contract value of approximately ₹915 crore.

The arrangement combines RCF’s railway coach manufacturing expertise with RITES’ experience in international procurement, export coordination and railway engineering services. The delivery strengthens India’s participation in railway infrastructure development beyond its borders.

Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala Manufactures Customised LHB Coaches

Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, has manufactured the coaches using Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) design technology, incorporating modifications suited to Bangladesh Railway’s passenger requirements and operating conditions.

LHB-type coaches are widely associated with modern passenger railway manufacturing and incorporate structural and engineering features intended to improve passenger comfort and operational safety. For the Bangladesh project, RCF has adapted the coach design to accommodate specific electrical, structural and passenger-service requirements.

The Ministry of Railways outlined several of these modifications in an official announcement issued on August 11, 2026. The announcement highlighted specialised seating arrangements, integrated passenger safety systems, improved onboard facilities and structural modifications developed for the export programme.

The manufacturing project demonstrates RCF’s ability to adapt established railway coach technology for international customers while maintaining the technical requirements associated with modern passenger rolling stock.

New Coaches Feature Improved Passenger Comfort and Facilities

The coaches incorporate specially designed reclining seats intended to improve passenger comfort during railway journeys. The seating arrangements include stainless-steel armrests and footrests, with multiple reclining positions to accommodate different passenger preferences.

RCF has also incorporated several passenger-oriented features, including fans in air-conditioned coaches, integrated CCTV surveillance systems, passenger alarm arrangements and partially openable windows.

The design includes dedicated Baby Care and Prayer Rooms, reflecting the requirements specified for Bangladesh Railway’s passenger services. These facilities form part of the broader effort to provide practical amenities suited to the country’s operating environment.

The combination of improved seating, surveillance equipment and specialised onboard facilities reflects the emphasis placed on passenger comfort and service requirements during the development of the coaches.

Structural Design Incorporates Advanced Crashworthiness Standards

A major technological feature of the coaches is the incorporation of crashworthy design provisions complying with European Standard EN 15227.

According to the Ministry of Railways, meeting these requirements involved a comprehensive redesign of the coach body shell to improve collision performance and passenger safety.

Crashworthiness engineering aims to manage the forces generated during collisions through structural design features that influence deformation and energy absorption. Such provisions form an important part of modern passenger rolling stock development.

The coaches also incorporate strengthened roof structures designed for additional loading conditions associated with Bangladesh Railway’s operating environment.

These structural modifications required RCF to adapt the conventional LHB coach design while retaining the engineering characteristics necessary for the export programme.

The development highlights the technical expertise involved in manufacturing railway vehicles that must satisfy both customer-specific requirements and recognised railway safety standards.

Electrical Systems Adapted to Bangladesh Railway Requirements

The coaches feature electrical systems designed to operate at 415 volts, reflecting Bangladesh Railway’s specified operating requirements.

This differs from the conventional 750-volt system used in comparable Indian Railways coaches. The modification required suitable electrical design and integration to ensure compatibility with the intended railway operating environment.

Adapting electrical systems for different railway networks is an important aspect of international rolling stock manufacturing because railway operators may use different electrical configurations, infrastructure arrangements and maintenance practices.

By incorporating the required 415-volt system during manufacturing, RCF has developed coaches suited to Bangladesh Railway’s technical specifications.

The adaptation demonstrates the flexibility of India’s railway manufacturing capabilities in producing rolling stock for overseas customers with operational requirements different from those of Indian Railways.

RITES Strengthens India’s Railway Rolling Stock Export Capabilities

RITES Limited serves as an important international engineering and consultancy organisation under the Ministry of Railways. Established in 1974, the company provides services covering transportation infrastructure, railway engineering, project management, technical consultancy and the export of railway rolling stock.

The company has developed international experience through railway and infrastructure assignments across Asia, Africa, Latin America and West Asia. Its export activities include locomotives, passenger coaches, diesel multiple units and associated railway equipment. Through these programmes, RITES connects India’s railway manufacturing capabilities with transportation infrastructure requirements in overseas markets.

According to the company’s October 2026 announcement, RITES has supplied more than 280 locomotives and over 1,085 coaches and diesel multiple unit trainsets to international customers. These exports demonstrate India’s established capabilities in manufacturing and supplying railway vehicles for different operating environments.

The Bangladesh Railway contract adds to this international portfolio while strengthening RITES’ role in coordinating overseas railway equipment supply programmes.

India and Bangladesh Build on Earlier Railway Coach Cooperation

The latest delivery continues an established manufacturing relationship between Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, and Bangladesh Railway.

During 2015–16, RCF successfully supplied 120 LHB broad-gauge passenger coaches to Bangladesh Railway. The earlier programme demonstrated the factory’s ability to manufacture railway vehicles suited to the neighbouring country’s operational requirements.

Bangladesh Railway subsequently placed another order through RITES in 2024 for 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches covering seven variants. The new programme builds upon the technical and manufacturing experience gained during the earlier export assignment.

The continued cooperation reflects the role of railway manufacturing in strengthening transportation connectivity and infrastructure development between India and Bangladesh.

India’s established railway production facilities, engineering expertise and rolling stock manufacturing capabilities provide a foundation for supporting similar export programmes in neighbouring and overseas markets.

Export Programme Supports Bangladesh Railway’s Passenger Fleet Development

The 200-coach programme will contribute to Bangladesh Railway’s efforts to expand and improve its broad-gauge passenger rolling stock fleet.

The order covers multiple coach configurations to accommodate different passenger service requirements. The combination of non-air-conditioned seating coaches, air-conditioned chair cars, sleeper coaches and power cars provides flexibility for railway operators developing passenger train services.

The first consignment of 18 coaches represents the initial dispatch under the larger manufacturing and supply programme. Further deliveries will support the implementation of the contract as production and export activities progress.

In an official investor conference call held in February 2026, RITES management discussed the Bangladesh order and identified FY2028–29 as the outer contractual execution period. Management also expressed its intention to accelerate deliveries wherever possible.

The commencement of dispatches in October 2026 marks an important operational step in executing the contract and advancing the supply of Indian-manufactured passenger railway coaches to Bangladesh.

Indian Railway Manufacturing Expands Its International Presence

The Bangladesh Railway programme highlights India’s ability to supply modern railway passenger coaches incorporating customer-specific design, electrical and structural requirements.

Indian Railways operates an extensive domestic manufacturing ecosystem that includes specialised production facilities for passenger coaches, locomotives and other railway equipment. These facilities possess expertise in manufacturing, testing and integrating the complex systems required for railway operations.

International rolling stock orders allow Indian manufacturers to apply this expertise to different railway networks while expanding their participation in overseas transportation infrastructure projects.

The customised LHB coaches manufactured at Kapurthala demonstrate how established Indian railway technology can be adapted to meet international customer requirements. Their specialised passenger amenities, crashworthiness provisions and electrical modifications reflect the engineering work involved in producing export-oriented railway vehicles.

Such programmes also strengthen the international profile of Indian railway manufacturing and support the country’s broader efforts to expand exports of engineering products and transportation equipment.

Made-in-India Railway Coaches Strengthen Regional Transport Cooperation

The dispatch of the first 18 passenger coaches to Bangladesh represents an important milestone in India’s railway manufacturing and export activities.

The programme brings together RITES’ international railway project experience and Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala’s capabilities in manufacturing customised LHB passenger coaches. The contract also builds on the successful supply of 120 coaches to Bangladesh Railway during 2015–16.

With the first consignment dispatched, the 200-coach programme has entered an important phase of execution. The project demonstrates India’s capacity to supply passenger railway vehicles incorporating modern safety provisions, improved amenities and technical modifications suited to overseas operations.

The continuing cooperation between RITES, RCF and Bangladesh Railway reinforces India’s growing role as a supplier of railway engineering products and transportation infrastructure solutions.

As manufacturing and deliveries advance, the programme will contribute to Bangladesh Railway’s passenger fleet development while strengthening India’s position in international railway rolling stock markets.

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References

1. RITES Limited — Official Corporate Announcement
Dispatch of First Rake of 18 Passenger Coaches to Bangladesh Railway
Announced: October 13, 2026
Official RITES communication:
https://x.com/RITESLIMITED/status/2109953043060212130

2. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Railways, Government of India
Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala to Roll Out First Rake of LHB Coaches for Bangladesh Railway
Published: August 11, 2026
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2297903

3. RITES Limited — Official Investor Conference Call Transcript
Q3 FY2025–26 Earnings Conference Call
February 5, 2026
Contains management’s statements on the Bangladesh Railway 200-coach programme and contractual execution period.
https://www.rites.com/Upload/MediaGallery/PDF/3/InvestorsMeetTranscriptSigned_pdf-2026-Feb-11-17-18-56.pdf

4. RITES Limited — Official Export Tender Document
Engagement of Freight Forwarder for Transportation of 200 Broad-Gauge Coaches and Spares to Bangladesh
Tender document published in February 2026.
https://www.rites.com/Upload/Tender/TenderDocExportofTwoHunderdBGCoachestoBangladesh_pdf-2026-Feb-23-12-13-0.pdf

5. RITES Limited — Government of India Enterprise
Official corporate information and international railway export activities.
https://www.rites.com/

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