Japan commits ¥275.858 billion ODA for four projects in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Punjab
On 24 March 2026 India and Japan exchanged notes for a Japanese ODA loan of JPY 275.858 billion (about ₹16,420 crore) for four projects, including Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 and Mumbai Metro Line 11; JICA signed the loan agreements.
Summary
The Government of Japan committed Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans of JPY 275.858 billion (approx. ₹16,420 crore) to India for four projects in urban transport, health and agriculture in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Punjab. Notes were exchanged on 24 March 2026 between Alok Tiwari, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, and Japan's Ambassador Keiichi Ono, and loan agreements were signed with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The projects are Bengaluru Metro Rail Project Phase 3 (I) – JPY 102.480 billion; Mumbai Metro Line 11 (I) – JPY 92.400 billion; tertiary healthcare, medical and nursing education in Maharashtra (I) – JPY 62.294 billion; and sustainable horticulture in Punjab – JPY 18.684 billion. Per JICA, Bengaluru Phase 3 covers about 44.65 km with 31 elevated stations and Mumbai Line 11 about 17.51 km with 14 underground stations.
Key facts
- Total
- JPY 275.858 billion (~₹16,420 crore), 4 projects
- Notes exchanged
- 24 March 2026 – Alok Tiwari (DEA) and Ambassador Keiichi Ono
- Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 (I)
- JPY 102.480 bn – ~44.65 km, 31 elevated stations
- Mumbai Metro Line 11 (I)
- JPY 92.400 bn – ~17.51 km, 14 underground stations
- Maharashtra health
- JPY 62.294 bn – tertiary care, medical and nursing education
- Punjab horticulture
- JPY 18.684 bn
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Japanese ODA package of March 2026 (JPY 275.858 billion) covers projects in which three states?
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Correct answer: A — Maharashtra, Karnataka and Punjab
The four projects are in Maharashtra (Mumbai Metro Line 11, healthcare), Karnataka (Bengaluru Metro Phase 3) and Punjab (horticulture).
Which project received the largest share of the Japanese ODA loans committed to India on 24 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Bengaluru Metro Rail Project Phase 3 (I)
Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 (I) got JPY 102.480 billion, ahead of Mumbai Metro Line 11 (JPY 92.400 billion), Maharashtra health (JPY 62.294 billion) and Punjab horticulture (JPY 18.684 billion).
Consider the following about the Japanese ODA-funded metro projects (March 2026): 1. Mumbai Metro Line 11 (I) covers about 17.51 km with 14 underground stations. 2. Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 (I) covers about 44.65 km with 31 underground stations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Bengaluru Phase 3 has 31 elevated (not underground) stations over about 44.65 km; Mumbai Line 11 has 14 underground stations over about 17.51 km.