India delivers new rail cars to Bangladesh

[jis]

Don't worry if you cannot read the content of the article linked to below. It is mostly for the photo. It shows a consist of what happens to be 20 brand new LHB Coaches manufactured in India being delivered to Bangladesh at the border station of Darshana. This is the first significant large delivery of new cars from India to Bangladesh, and completes the delivery of the first 40 cars of a 120 car order. The order was placed six months back with delivery schedule of 40 for March 2016 and the balance by March 2017. (I sure wish Amtrak could somehow get cars so quickly after placing an order).

http://www.banglanews24.com/national/news/479412/%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%A5%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8B-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8

Due to political issues the three countries of the Indian subcontinent have not cooperated much in area of industrial trade. Pakistan still does not. But India's manufacturing capability is now being used by both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - specially in the area of rail equipment. Both also purchase diesel locomotives from India. Bangladesh also imports passenger coaching stock from the Philippines.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

Did I hear correctly that Sir Lanka is starting to rebuild infrastructure after the civil war has wound down? Are those "metal" window shutters to allow ventilation and retain modesty of passengers as well as keeping people in/out?

 

[jis]

Did I hear correctly that Sir Lanka is starting to rebuild infrastructure after the civil war has wound down? Are those "metal" window shutters to allow ventilation and retain modesty of passengers as well as keeping people in/out?

Yes, Sri Lanka is actively rebuilding its infrastructure including the rail infrastructure, specially in the Tamil areas where they were more destroyed during the insurrection around Jafna.

Typical non-AC coaches in the subcontinent have two shutters in each window. One is a metal shutter with grill to let air in, and the other is a shutter shutter with shatter resistant glazing. The metal shutter is always the outer one. In Indian Railways standard issue cars there are also steel bars across the window, except those that are for emergency exit. Bangladesh chose not to have those on their cars.