The Bangladesh Railway (BR) will purchase 200 metre gauge coaches from China at a cost of Tk 84.97 million to improve its passenger services in the country.
To this effect, the state-owned train operator signed a contract with a Chinese company named CRRC at Rail Bhaban on Sunday.
Project director Mrinal Kanti Bonik and Vice President of CRRC Chen Jianpeng signed the contract on behalf of their respective sides. Railway Minister M Mujibul Haque was present at the signing ceremony.
The procurement will be done through tender financing, officials said, adding that the contractor will complete supply of all 200 coaches between 20 months and 27 months.
The railway minister said some 270 railway coaches have been added to the BR fleet during the tenure of the current government.
Besides, 200 metre gauge and 50 broad gauge coaches are likely to join the fleet next month.
The BR has also procured 86 engines and will bring in 70 more from Hyundai, a Korean company. Procurement of 40 more engines with the financial support of Asian Development Bank (ADB) is under the process, the minister added.
"Railway service in the country is likely to go through massive changes after full implementation of various development projects," he observed.
Railway Secretary Mofazzel Hossain and BR Director General Kazi Rafiqul Islam were also present at the signing ceremony.
smunima@yahoo.com