# Bangladesh to Get 20 Free Locomotives from China Worth $1.29 Billion

> China is granting \$129.54M (Tk 1,591cr) to Bangladesh Railway to buy 20 meter-gauge locomotives by 2027, including spare parts and training. Most MG engines have exceeded their lifespan, causing breakdowns and delays.…

Published: 2026-09-25 · Desk: Latest · Source: Ittefaq

China is providing Bangladesh Railway (BR) with a grant of $129.54 million (approximately Tk 1,591 crore) to procure 20 new meter-gauge (MG) locomotives. Railway officials believe this initiative will play a crucial role in addressing the ongoing crisis caused by an aging locomotive fleet.

The Ministry of Railways has sent a proposal titled “Procurement of 20 Meter-Gauge Diesel-Electric Locomotives for Bangladesh Railway under Chinese Grant” to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) and the Planning Commission. Steps have already been taken to expedite the approval process for the Preliminary Development Project Proposal (PDPP).

According to the PDPP, the total project cost is estimated at Tk 1,635 crore (about $133.12 million), of which Tk 1,591 crore will come from China and Tk 44 crore (around $3.58 million) will be funded by the government. The project is scheduled to begin in January 2026 and finish by December 2027. Along with the supply of 20 locomotives, the project will include spare parts, equipment, and training for Bangladeshi engineers and mechanics to ensure technology transfer.

Currently, BR operates 306 locomotives, including 174 MG and 132 broad-gauge (BG) engines. However, most MG locomotives have exceeded their 20-year economic lifespan. About 124 MG locomotives—71% of the MG fleet—are past their design life. Of these, 68 have been in service for over 40 years, and 84 for over 30 years. Engineers say maintaining these outdated engines is increasingly difficult, as spare parts are scarce, import costs are high, and frequent breakdowns disrupt train operations while driving up fuel consumption.

A senior official noted that maintenance and repair costs for such old locomotives are disproportionately high compared to their output, making train delays and cancellations almost inevitable. He warned that without new locomotives, operations on several MG routes—especially in the eastern region—may be forced to shut down.

According to the 2020 Working Time Table (WTT-52), 203 MG locomotives are needed for the Dhaka, Chattogram, and Lalmonirhat divisions, but only 182 are currently operational—leaving a shortfall of at least 21 engines. The real gap is likely higher, as demand for passenger and freight transport has increased since 2020. Intercity trains are being prioritized, which severely affects freight and local services. Moreover, regular overhauls are being delayed due to the shortage, increasing the risk of breakdowns.

The government’s Eighth Five-Year Plan aims to raise the railway’s passenger market share to 10% and freight share to 15%. The Railway Master Plan recommended purchasing 74 replacement and 37 new locomotives in its first phase (2017–2021), but only 30 have been acquired so far. In 2011, a plan to procure 70 MG locomotives was scrapped due to funding issues, forcing BR to continue relying on its aging fleet.

Officials say the 20 new Chinese locomotives will allow BR to introduce additional passenger and freight services, reduce maintenance and fuel costs, ensure safer and more reliable operations, and increase revenue. However, they caution that the total demand remains much higher. Transport experts agree that while this project is a positive step, large-scale investment in both MG and BG locomotives is urgently needed. With more than two-thirds of MG engines beyond their service life, failure to replace them in time risks not only efficiency but also service reliability on key routes. Without fleet modernization, BR could lose credibility as a dependable transport option for both passengers and freight.

Original reporting: https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/752000/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%82%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%87-%E0%A7%A8%E0%A7%A6%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%9E%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A8?fbclid=IwVERDUAM0fk5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHrNpeQrT0veGzK9FQhR0Nspo98k02SvaejIR3mUsIBaX_ZRAKdzkpOjeFyjl_aem_srWgoiNSaNp6oODXOKkNrg&fbclid=IwY2xjawM0kulleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFjaGxEZzNYR2hVVkhiQzZwAR6vMEkV2Y67dlq02gPKns9WvoRw9Igm5ygs_OQyk3PbMiYi8pnkTh-Pq199MQ_aem_fQULWclBH21njlR2K39Kog
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