KOLKATA/ (KAPURTHALA) — Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala is scheduled to roll out its first rake of 19 Linke Hofmann Busch broad-gauge passenger coaches for Bangladesh Railway on August 12.
The initial rake consists of three air-conditioned sleeper cars, three air-conditioned chair cars, 11 non-air-conditioned chair cars, and two power cars. The coaches are custom-built to meet Bangladesh Railway’s operating requirements and feature specialised passenger amenities, including reclining chairs with stainless steel armrests and footrests, partially openable windows, integrated CCTV surveillance, a baby care room, and a prayer room.
Engineers reinforced the roof structure to accommodate passenger loading during peak traffic periods. The design also incorporates crashworthy provisions that comply with European Standard EN 15227, requiring a complete redesign of the car body shell. Additionally, the electrical system operates on a 415-volt configuration instead of the conventional 750-volt system used by Indian Railways.
This delivery advances an ongoing partnership between RCF and Bangladesh Railway, which previously involved the supply of 120 LHB coaches between 2015 and 2016. Bangladesh Railway awarded RCF a subsequent contract in 2024 through RITES to manufacture 200 broad-gauge passenger coaches across seven variants.
(This report was drafted with the assistance of AI and verified by a human editor.)
Source: PIB/11.08.26