India ships first 19 rail coaches to Bangladesh in nearly a decade
Synopsis
For the first time since 2015–16, India has shipped passenger coaches to Bangladesh — 19 new-generation broad-gauge units built in Kapurthala crossing the Darshana border. The delivery opens a 200-coach, EIB-backed procurement that took over two years from approval to contract, and is set to transform rail services on Bangladesh's Padma Bridge corridor.
Key Takeaways
India delivered the first batch of 19 broad-gauge passenger coaches to Bangladesh through the Darshana border on 14 August 2025 .
The coaches were built at Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala and supplied by RITES Limited .
The consignment includes 3 AC sleeper coaches , 3 AC chair cars , 11 non-AC chair cars , and 2 power cars .
The full order covers 200 coaches at approximately Tk 1,205.54 crore , partly financed by a European Investment Bank (EIB) loan of around Tk 1,331 crore .
This is the first Indian coach delivery to Bangladesh since 120 coaches were supplied in 2015–16 .
The coaches will primarily serve routes through the Padma Rail Bridge in southwestern Bangladesh.
India has resumed passenger coach exports to Bangladesh after nearly a decade, with the first batch of 19 broad-gauge coaches crossing into Bangladesh through the Darshana border on 14 August 2025. The consignment is the opening delivery under a larger procurement of 200 modern coaches ordered by Bangladesh Railway, according to Dhaka's Daily Sun.
What the Shipment Contains
The 19 coaches were manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala, Punjab. The consignment comprises three AC sleeper coaches, three AC chair cars, 11 non-AC chair cars, and two power cars. These are described as new-generation broad-gauge units designed to upgrade passenger services.
The Procurement Agreement
Bangladesh Railway and India's state-owned RITES Limited signed a supply contract at Rail Bhaban in Dhaka in May 2024, more than two years after the project was approved in March 2022. The total procurement is valued at approximately Tk 1,205.54 crore, with the broader project estimated at Tk 1,704.66 crore. Around Tk 1,331 crore of this is expected to be financed through a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), with the remainder funded by the Bangladesh government.
Under the agreement, RITES Limited is responsible not only for supplying the coaches but also for providing technical assistance covering design, spare parts, and crew training. The contract allows 36 months for supply and commissioning, followed by a 24-month warranty period.
Why Bangladesh Needs These Coaches
Bangladesh Railway has been contending with an ageing passenger fleet for years, according to the Daily Sun report. The procurement of 200 new coaches is aimed at retiring outdated rolling stock, improving passenger comfort, and strengthening rail connectivity — particularly in the southwestern region following the opening of the Padma Bridge rail link. The new coaches are expected to primarily serve routes operating through the Padma Rail Bridge.
A Decade-Long Gap Bridged
This shipment marks the resumption of Indian coach exports to Bangladesh nearly a decade after 120 coaches were delivered to Bangladesh Railway in 2015–16. The delay between project approval and contract signing — over two years — had previously stalled the initiative. With the first batch now delivered, the remaining coaches under the 200-coach order are expected to follow in phased tranches within the contract timeline.
Point of View
And RITES has historically been a vehicle for India's infrastructure diplomacy across South Asia. What is notable here is the EIB's financing role: European capital underwriting an Indian-built, Bangladesh-operated rail corridor is an unusual trilateral arrangement that deserves scrutiny on conditionalities. The two-year gap between project approval and contract signing also points to procurement friction that Bangladesh Railway will need to resolve if it is to absorb 200 coaches within the 36-month supply window. Padma Bridge has already reshaped southwest Bangladesh's connectivity; whether the rolling stock arrives on schedule will determine how quickly that potential translates into passenger volumes.
NationPress
14 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the India-Bangladesh railway coach deal?
Bangladesh Railway signed an agreement with India's RITES Limited to procure 200 modern broad-gauge passenger coaches at approximately Tk 1,205.54 crore. The contract was signed in May 2024, with the first batch of 19 coaches delivered through the Darshana border in August 2025.
Where were the coaches manufactured?
The 19 coaches were manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala, Punjab, India. RCF Kapurthala is a major production facility for Indian Railways and also supplies coaches for export.
How is the 200-coach procurement being financed?
The project, estimated at Tk 1,704.66 crore, is being jointly financed by the Bangladesh government and the European Investment Bank (EIB), which is expected to provide a loan of around Tk 1,331 crore.
Which routes will the new coaches serve in Bangladesh?
The new coaches are expected to enhance rail services in Bangladesh's southwestern region, particularly on routes operating through the Padma Rail Bridge, which opened a new rail corridor across the Padma River.
When did India last supply coaches to Bangladesh?
India previously delivered 120 passenger coaches to Bangladesh Railway in 2015–16. The latest shipment is the first since that delivery, resuming coach exports after nearly a decade.
