The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) Board of Directors has approved a US$335 million loan for a 100-percent electric metro project that will reduce traffic and pollution and increase employment and mobility in India. The investment in the Bangalore Metro Rail Project—Reach 6 (R6) is AIIB’s first metro project and its first joint financing partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB). EIB is the project’s lead financier with Euro 500 million in funding.
By expanding the city’s metro system, the project will provide high-capacity north-south connectivity through the center of Bangalore—India’s third most populated city with a population of 9.6 million. Primary beneficiaries will be the commuters who travel along the corridor, with residents and commercial establishments along the line as secondary beneficiaries. Travel times for some journeys impacted by the lack of a metro system are expected to drop from two hours today to 15 minutes when the R6 line is completed.
"We’re investing in this metro project because of its potential to greatly improve the mobility of commuters and further economic growth through better connectivity,” said AIIB Vice President and Chief Investment Officer D.J. Pandian. “The project’s impact on the reduction of fuel consumption and traffic congestion will also help reduce local air pollution and noise and make Bangalore a more livable city. We look forward to continuing to review metro projects in India, and across Asia, that will support connectivity and introduce greener methods of transportation."
R6 is a key part of Phase II of the Bangalore Metro Rail Project and a key component of the future rail link to Bangalore Airport. Operations will be entirely electric, further reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping mitigate climate change effects. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited is the entity implementing the project.
In May 2016, AIIB and EIB signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a framework of cooperation to conduct regular dialogues and explore joint infrastructure project financing. The Bangalore Metro Rail Project—R6 is the first project resulting from that framework.
Beijing, July 27, 2026
AIIB’s 2025 Impact Report Shows Sustainable Infrastructure Delivering for People, Communities and Economies
AIIB’s 2025 Impact Report highlights how sustainable infrastructure financing is delivering measurable benefits for people, communities and economies across Asia and beyond.
READ MOREBeijing, July 24, 2026
AIIB Approves USD80 million to Strengthen Fiji’s Economic and Climate Resilience
AIIB has approved USD80 million in financing for Fiji to strengthen economic resilience, enhance climate and disaster preparedness, support private sector development and advance reforms that promote sustainable, inclusive growth.
READ MOREBeijing, July 21, 2026
Registration Opens for AIIB’s 11th Annual Meeting in Doha, Qatar
Registration is now open for AIIB’s 11th Annual Meeting in Doha, Qatar, on September 28–29, 2026. Under the theme “Tomorrow’s Infrastructure: Impact and Innovation,” the event will bring together global leaders and stakeholders to discuss the future of sustainable infrastructure and development.
READ MOREBeijing, July 21, 2026
AIIB Approves up to USD1.5 Billion Financing for Istanbul North Rail Crossing Project in Türkiye
AIIB has approved up to USD1.5 billion in financing for the Istanbul North Rail Crossing Project (INRAIL) in Türkiye, a transformative rail investment that will strengthen cross-Bosphorus connectivity, improve freight and passenger transport efficiency, and support greener, more resilient regional transport networks.
READ MORE