China is giving Bangladesh Railway 20 new meter-gauge diesel-electric locomotives as a grant from china worth around $129.54 million (Tk 1,591 crore). The move comes at a time when Bangladesh Railway is struggling with an old fleet of engines that are crossing their lifespan, causing frequent breakdowns and service disruptions.
China’s Support for Bangladesh Railway
China has decided to donate 20 meter-gauge (MG) locomotives to Bangladesh as part of a railway modernization project. The financial grant amounts to Tk 1,591 crore ($129.54 million), which will cover the cost of the locomotives, spare parts, and training for Bangladeshi engineers and mechanics.
The Ministry of Railways has already sent the project proposal, titled “Procurement of 20 Meter-Gauge Diesel Electric Locomotives for Bangladesh Railway under Chinese Grant”, to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) and Planning Commission for approval.
Project Cost and Timeline
According to the Preliminary Development Project Proposal (PDPP):
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Total cost: Tk 1,635 crore ($133.12 million).
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China’s contribution: Tk 1,591 crore ($129.54 million).
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Bangladesh government’s share: Tk 44 crore ($3.58 million).
The project will begin in January 2026 and is expected to be completed by December 2027. Along with the locomotives, spare parts, tools, and technical training will be provided to ensure knowledge transfer.
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Current Fleet and Old Engines Crisis
Bangladesh Railway currently operates 306 locomotives:
- 174 meter-gauge engines.
- 132 broad-gauge engines.
However, the MG fleet is in crisis. Out of the 174 MG locomotives, 124 (71%) have already exceeded their design lifespan, with many being over 30–40 years old.
Engineers say:
- Old engines are costly to maintain.
- Spare parts for outdated designs are difficult to find.
- Frequent breakdowns delay train schedules.
- Fuel consumption is very high compared to modern engines.
A senior railway official warned that if new locomotives are not added soon, train operations on several MG routes—especially in the eastern region—might stop completely.
Shortage vs. Growing Demand
According to the Working Timetable (2020):
- MG routes in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Lalmonirhat divisions required 203 locomotives.
- Only 182 were in service, leaving a gap of at least 21 engines.
Since 2020, both passenger and freight demand has increased, making the shortage even worse. Due to this crisis:
- Intercity trains are being prioritized.
- Freight and local trains are badly affected.
- Scheduled maintenance of engines is often delayed.
Past Plans and Failures
Bangladesh’s 8th Five-Year Plan set a target of increasing:
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Passenger transport share to 10%.
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Freight transport share to 15%.
The Railway Master Plan (2017–2021) recommended buying 74 replacement locomotives and 37 new ones, but only 30 have been purchased so far.
In 2011, a plan to purchase 70 new MG locomotives was cancelled due to financial constraints, forcing the railway to continue using its aging fleet.
Benefits of the New Chinese Locomotives
Officials believe that the 20 new engines will:
- Reduce service disruptions.
- Lower fuel and maintenance costs.
- Improve reliability and safety.
- Allow new passenger and freight services to be launched.
- Increase revenue for Bangladesh Railway.
However, they also caution that while this grant is helpful, it is not enough to solve the large-scale crisis.
Experts Call for Long-Term Investments
Transport experts argue that:
- Two-thirds of MG locomotives have already exceeded their lifespan.
- Without large-scale replacement, railway operations on key routes will be disrupted.
- Both meter-gauge and broad-gauge engines require new investments for long-term sustainability.
They warn that without continuous modernization, Bangladesh Railway risks losing its credibility as a reliable mode of transport for both passengers and goods.
Source: Ittefaq
