Karnataka: Suburban rail project gets a boost as K-RIDE, German bank sign loan agreement

The much-delayed project is being implemented along four corridors – Sampige, Mallige, Parijaata, and Kanaka. The Sampige corridor is between Kempegowda railway station and Devanahalli – spanning 41.4 km and 15 stations, Mallige between Baiyappanahalli terminal and Chikkabanavara – 25 km and 14 stations, Parijaata between Kengeri and Whitefield – 35.52 km and nine stations, and Kanaka between Heelalige and Rajankunte – 46.24 km and 19 stations.

K-RIDE, it can be recalled, has come under fire from transport activists due to the delay in implementation. Although Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set a deadline of 40 months to complete the project last year, the progress of the works has been slow. The transport body is also hit by the absence of a full-time managing director, which according to activists has been one of the main reasons for the delay in the progress of suburban rail works.

Last month, the Karnataka government posted N Manjula as the MD. She is also concurrently serving as the secretary to the Kannada and Culture Department.