Bangladesh Receives 18 Broad-Gauge Rail Coaches from India on Friday

Eighteen broad-gauge passenger train coaches from India are arriving in Bangladesh on Friday through the Darshana international rail route in Chuadanga. Procured under an agreement with India’s state-owned RITES Limited to supply a total of 200 coaches, this first consignment will be dispatched to the Syedpur Railway Workshop for final processing following border customs clearance.

Dispatched from Kapurthala in Punjab on October 12, the shipment reached Ranaghat station in West Bengal before heading toward the border. Confirming the schedule, Mamunur Rashid, Station Manager of Darshana International Railway Station, stated, ‘The coaches were scheduled to depart Ranaghat around 12:00 PM on Friday and enter Bangladesh through Darshana after completing necessary formalities at the Gede border.’ He added that after completing local customs formalities, the coaches will be sent to Syedpur to prepare them for integration into the railway fleet.

This initial delivery comprises 18 coaches across four distinct categories to meet diverse operational needs. The batch includes 11 non-AC Shovon Chair coaches, three AC Chair coaches, two AC Sleeper coaches, and two AC Power Cars. Designed for utility and security, the power cars feature separate guard compartments along with designated luggage spaces for passengers.

Equipped with modern seating arrangements, reclining seats, stainless steel armrests, footrests, CCTV surveillance, passenger alert systems, baby care rooms, and prayer spaces, these coaches prioritize passenger comfort and safety. Their addition is expected to significantly boost Bangladesh Railway’s passenger capacity, enhance service quality across broad-gauge routes, and relieve pressure on aging rolling stock, though official assignments for specific train routes have not yet been announced.