REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SURABAYA -- State-own train maker PT Industri Kereta Api (Inka) has delivered the first batch of Broad Gauge (BG) type trains export to Bangladesh through Surabaya's Tanjung Perak Port on Sunday. Overall, PT Inka produces 250 trains for the Bangladesh Railway, of which 50 cars are of BG type and 200 cars of Meter Gauge (MG) type.

"This is the first delivery with a total of 15 trains," PT Inka President Director Budi Noviantoro said on the sidelines of the train delivery here on Sunday.

The broad-gauge train would need a 1,676 mm-wide track gauge, while the meter-gauge railway would need a 1,000 mm-wide track gauge. Each type, Budi said, comprised of air-conditioned sleeper coach (WJC type coaches), air-conditioned passenger coach (WJCC), non-air-conditioned passenger coach (WEC), dining coach (WECDR), and also power wagon (WPC type coaches).

Also read: PT Inka, Bangladesh sign railway contract to procure 50 train carriages

The BG type trains has a capacity of 90 seats, both for air-conditioned WJCC and non Air-conditioned WEC, while the MG type has the capacity of 55 seats for air-conditioned WJCC and 60 seats for the WEC type (non AC).

"The trains will be sent in stages until July 2019. For now we deliver 10 WECs, two WECRDs, and one WJC, WJCC and WPC respectively," he said.

PT Inka, he continued, won the tender for the procurement of passenger trains for the Bangladesh Railway in 2017 with a total contract value of US$100.89 million. In 2016 PT Inka exported 150 trains worth US$72.39 million to Bangladesh, and 50 trains with the contract value of US$13.8 million in 2006.

Indonesia's Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto has applauded PT Inka for its success to win the tender.

"This is a proof that the we are able to compete and our abilities are recognized internationally," he said.

The minister hopes that PT Inka could improve its production as well as engineering capabilities and technology.

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