In a significant development for the Bengaluru suburban rail project, Rail Infrastructure Development Company (K-RIDE) has signed an agreement with KfW, the German Development Bank, for a loan of 500 million euros. The loan will assist K-RIDE in the construction of two crucial BSRP corridors – the Majestic to Devanahalli line linking the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), and the Kengeri-Whitefield line. Additionally, K-RIDE will also receive a grant of 4.5 million euros.

The funds from the loan agreement will enable K-RIDE to proceed with the tender process for the other two corridors – the Byappanahalli to Chikkabanavara (corridor 2), and the Heelalige to Rajankunte (corridor 4). These funds will also be utilized for traction, signalling, overhead power supply, and other infrastructure requirements. Construction work for corridor 2 is progressing well, and once the necessary land is acquired from South Western Railway, tenders for corridor 4 will be floated.

The loan agreement is a significant boost to the implementation of the 148-kilometer suburban rail network, known as the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP), on four corridors. The BSRP project is estimated to have a total cost of Rs 15,767 crore, with a loan component of Rs 7,438 crore (approximately 800 million euros) from multilateral and bilateral institutions.

According to sources, K-RIDE is expected to reach an agreement with the European Investment Bank in March to secure an additional 300 million euros for the project.

For more information, please visit: [Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/k-ride-inks-pact-for-500-million-loan-bengaluru-airport-corridor-boost/articleshow/106055978.cms)