The new East-West Corridor of the Lucknow Metro is now closer to becoming a reality, following a crucial approval from the Public Investment Board (PIB). Estimated to be developed with an expenditure of ₹5,801 crore, the 11.64-kilometre corridor will connect Charbagh to Vasant Kunj in Old Lucknow. This will further mark a major step forward in the city’s Phase 1B metro expansion.

The PIB meeting, held in New Delhi during the first week of May and chaired by the Union Finance Secretary, reviewed and cleared the project after its Detailed Project Report (DPR) received prior approvals. The Uttar Pradesh government had endorsed the DPR in March 2024, and the Network Planning Group (NPG) granted further clearance in July 2024.

The final hurdle before construction begins on the Lucknow Metro's East-West Corridor, is the approval from the Union Cabinet. Once this clearance is secured, the Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation Limited (LMRCL) will commence groundwork shortly after Diwali 2025, with a projected completion timeline of five years.

Spanning 11.64 km from the bustling transit hub of Charbagh to the rapidly developing Vasant Kunj, the corridor features a blend of elevated (4.286 km) and underground (6.879 km) sections. In preparation for construction, UPMRC barricades and geotechnical survey activity have already been observed in parts of Old Lucknow.

Charbagh Metro Station, the starting point of the corridor, will serve as a vital interchange with the existing 23-km North-South Metro line, allowing for greater connectivity across the city.

Once operational, the East-West Corridor will extend the Lucknow Metro network to a total of 35 km, promising improved urban mobility and reduced traffic congestion in the Uttar Pradesh capital.