Lucknow Metro Phase-2 Approved, UP CM Greenlights Rs 5,881 Cr Project

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given his approval for the second phase of the Lucknow Metro project, known as the East-West Corridor. The ambitious project, spanning 11.165 kilometres from Charbagh to Vasantkunj, is set to be completed in five years with an elevated length of 4.286 km and an underground section of 6.879 km.

The estimated cost for Phase 2 is Rs 5,881 crore, as confirmed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He has also directed the prompt release of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Phase 2, now referred to as the Metro Phase-1B East-West Corridor.

Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Managing Director, Sushil Kumar, informed the media that the proposal for Metro Phase-2 was presented to the Chief Minister, and following his approval, instructions were issued for the expeditious submission of the modified DPR to the government.

"The DPR will now be forwarded to the Union urban development and housing ministry. Subsequently, the report will be sent to the Public Investment Board (PIB) for approval. Once approved by the Union cabinet, the actual construction work in Lucknow will commence," Kumar explained.

The Phase-2 corridor is designed to connect Charbagh to Vasantkunj, covering the most populated areas of Lucknow and including prominent locations in Old Lucknow, such as Aminabad and Chowk. 

It will also link other densely populated areas along its route. Charbagh metro station will serve as a junction for both the current North-South Corridor and the proposed East-West Corridor.

One notable feature of the project is that it will utilise the 750 DC traction system, currently employed in the Kanpur and Agra metro projects. This ensures there will be no issues with power lines tripping due to kites, a common concern in the region.

The underground track from Charbagh to Niwaj Ganj will cover a distance of 6.879 km, with seven underground stations: Gautam Buddha Nagar, Aminabad, Pandey Ganj, City Railway Station, Medical College Intersection, and Niwaj Ganj. From Niwaj Ganj, the corridor will transition to a 4.286 km elevated track till Vasant Kunj, with elevated metro stations at Thakurganj, Balaganj, Sarfarazganj, Musa Bagh, and Vasant Kunj, where a metro depot will also be established.

The cost of the project has seen an increase from the initial Rs 3,786 crore in the first DPR presented in February 2019 to Rs 4,264.89 crore in the second DPR presented in September 2022. The current cost, as per the fresh DPR, stands at Rs 5,881 crore, signalling the commitment to enhancing and modernising Lucknow's metro infrastructure.