Lucknow Metro Phase 2 | Green flag from UP Cabinet; check this comprehensive list of updates

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet has approved the second corridor of the Lucknow Metro, known as Phase-1B. This new phase will focus on constructing the East-West corridor, covering a substantial distance of 11.165 kilometers and aiming to improve connectivity between Charbagh and the historic old Lucknow area.

The detailed project report submitted by UPMRC has received state cabinet approval and now awaits the nod from the central government. The estimated cost for this ambitious project is ₹5,801 crore.

The route map for Phase 1B was unveiled in January 2024 by the UP government, setting a completion timeline of five years. However, the project faced a setback when it was not allocated funds in the newly released UP state budget for 2024-25.

Nevertheless, with the approval of the DPR by the central government, funding will be arranged to initiate the project. Additionally, UPMRC conducted a revised DPR, indicating a shortened completion timeline of 40 months compared to the initial five years.

As a result, it is anticipated that the corridor will be operational for commercial use by June 2027.

Spanning a distance of 11.165 km, the East-West corridor will include a total of 12 stations. Notably, the Charbagh station will serve as a pivotal junction connecting both the operational North West and the East-West corridors.

The underground section from Charbagh to Nawaz Ganj will extend over 6.879 km and will comprise seven underground stations: Charbagh, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Aminabad, Pandey Ganj, City Railway Station, Medical College Intersection and Nawaz Ganj.

Subsequently, the route will transition to an elevated track, spanning from Nawaz Ganj to Vasant Kunj, covering a distance of 4.286 km. This elevated segment will incorporate metro stations at Thakurganj, Balaganj, Sarfarazganj, Musa Bagh, and Vasant Kunj. Additionally, a metro depot will be established in Vasant Kunj to facilitate operational requirements.

Upon its completion, Phase 1B of the metro corridor is expected to streamline and decongest routes in the densely populated areas of Old Lucknow.

Furthermore, in addition to its congestion-relief benefits for the Old Lucknow routes, UPMRC asserts that the North West corridor has already reached its peak ridership capacity. Consequently, the implementation of Phase-1B is also anticipated to bolster revenue generation for the Lucknow Metro.