RCF to supply customised LHB coaches featuring crashworthy design, CCTV surveillance, prayer and baby-care facilities for Bangladesh Railway

Key Highlights

• First rake of 19 LHB broad gauge passenger coaches to be rolled out on August 12, 2026.
• Rake includes 3 AC Sleeper, 3 AC Chair, 11 Non-AC Chair and 2 Power Cars.
• Coaches feature passenger amenities including CCTV, passenger alarm systems, Baby Care Room and Prayer Room.
• Coaches incorporate EN 15227-compliant crashworthy design for enhanced safety.
• Electrical systems have been customised for 415 V operation.
• RCF and Bangladesh Railway previously partnered for the supply of 120 LHB coaches in 2015-16.

The Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala is set to roll out the first rake of 19 LHB broad gauge passenger coaches for Bangladesh Railway on August 12, marking another step in the long-standing railway cooperation between India and Bangladesh.

The rake has been specifically customised to meet the operational and passenger requirements of Bangladesh Railway, with a combination of passenger comfort, safety and specialised design features.

19-coach rake includes AC and non-AC variants

The first rake comprises:

• 3 AC Sleeper Cars
• 3 AC Chair Cars
• 11 Non-AC Chair Cars
• 2 Power Cars

Several of the coaches incorporate design modifications developed specifically for this project, including features introduced for the first time in LHB-type coaches.

Passenger comfort and family-friendly facilities

The coaches feature specially designed reclining chairs with stainless steel armrests and footrests, offering passengers multiple reclining positions.

Passenger-centric facilities include fans in AC coaches, integrated CCTV surveillance, passenger alarm systems and partially openable windows.

The rake will also feature a Baby Care Room and Prayer Room, catering to the specific needs of passengers travelling on Bangladesh Railway.

The roof structure has additionally been strengthened to withstand extra loading associated with passengers travelling on the roof during peak traffic periods.

Crashworthy design strengthens passenger safety

A major technological feature of the coaches is their crashworthy design compliant with European Standard EN 15227.

The requirement involved a comprehensive redesign of the car body shell to improve collision performance and passenger safety.

The coaches also feature a specially designed electrical system for 415 V operation, compared with the conventional 750 V system used in Indian Railways coaches.

RCF-Bangladesh Railway partnership dates back to 2015

The relationship between RCF and Bangladesh Railway began with the successful supply of 120 LHB broad gauge passenger coaches during 2015-16.

Building on that partnership, Bangladesh Railway again entrusted RCF, through RITES, with an order in 2024 for the manufacture and supply of 200 broad gauge passenger coaches in seven variants.

The latest rake is part of this broader order.

Impact on travel and tourism

The project has relevance beyond railway manufacturing, particularly for cross-border travel and tourism between India and Bangladesh.

Passenger experience: Reclining seating, CCTV, baby-care and prayer facilities can improve the onboard experience for leisure and family travellers.

Cross-border tourism: Greater availability of modern passenger coaches can support comfortable rail travel and potentially strengthen tourism connectivity between the two countries.

Family and religious travel: Dedicated baby-care and prayer facilities make the coaches more responsive to the requirements of families and passengers travelling for religious or cultural purposes.

Hospitality opportunities: Improved rail connectivity can contribute to tourism flows between destinations, supporting hotels, restaurants, tour operators and local businesses along travel corridors.

Bottom line

The first 19-coach LHB rake for Bangladesh Railway combines Indian rail manufacturing capabilities with country-specific passenger and operational requirements. With 200 coaches ordered across seven variants, the RCF-Bangladesh Railway partnership also represents a significant opportunity for strengthening modern rail-based mobility and, indirectly, cross-border travel and tourism.