Published : 09 Apr 2026, 11:37 PM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 03:34 PM
Bangladesh Railway is going to bolster its fleet with 200 broad-gauge coaches from India, a move likely to increase the frequency of intercity trains between Dhaka and northern districts.
Railway Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam shared the update in parliament on Thursday during a question-and-answer session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.
The procurement, funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB), is scheduled to begin this year.
The minister told the House that all 200 carriages are expected to be integrated into the railway fleet between June 2026 and December 2027.
"Once these carriages are received, Bangladesh Railway will take the initiative to determine new routes and increase the number of intercity trains to several northern districts," the minister said in response to queries from Jamaat-e-Islami MPs Elias Mollah and Ruhul Amin.
Currently, 15 intercity trains operate between Dhaka and the northern region.
Responding to a question from treasury bench MP Mohammad Shamim Kaiser, the minister noted that the arrival of the Indian coaches would significantly improve passenger capacity on these routes.
The minister also revealed that the government is working on further projects to collect 260 broad-gauge passenger carriages, 46 broad-gauge locomotives, and 50 metre-gauge locomotives.
These initiatives aim to ensure comfortable travel and boost railway revenue through freight transport.
Minister Rabiul also said a fare list for AC buses and minibuses would be prepared shortly.
