For years, residents of Old Lucknow have watched the North-South Metro glide overhead while their own commute remained stuck in narrow, choked lanes. That wait is finally ending. The 11.165-km East-West Corridor, linking Charbagh to Vasant Kunj, has moved firmly from papers to ground preparation.

The East-West corridor, also termed as Lucknow Metro Phase 1B has secured a package of ₹550 crores as of now, with the UP Budget 2026. UPMRC has awarded the detailed design contract to AYESA and floated the tender for a fully automated depot at Vasant Kunj. Officials confirm construction will begin within three months.

The new Vasant Kunj depot will be a state-of-the-art facility, with solar-powered operations, zero-discharge wastewater recycling, and robotic train washing systems. These features mirror the existing Transport Nagar facility, showcasing UPMRC’s commitment to modern, eco-friendly metro operations. UPMRC official Panchanan Mishra confirmed that the project is on track, with work moving steadily toward implementation.

The 11.165 km East-West Corridor will include 12 stations, five elevated and seven underground, finally bringing metro connectivity to congested areas like Chowk, Aminabad, and surrounding neighbourhoods, where surface transport has reached its breaking point.

With a five-year construction timeline and fresh funding, the East-West Corridor is set to reshape urban mobility in Lucknow, and this recent boost puts it one step closer to becoming a reality.