Lucknow Metro’s Phase 1B: Work on Charbagh-Vasant Kunj stretch to begin by Diwali

Construction of the East-West Corridor (Phase 1B) of the Lucknow Metro, which will connect Charbagh to Vasant Kunj, is scheduled to begin by this Diwali. As per reports, the ₹5,801 crore project has received approval from Public Investment Board (PIB) under Ministry of Finance. The final go-ahead now rests with the Central Cabinet, following which tenders will be floated.

Spanning approximately 11.165 km, the East-West corridor will link the transit hub of Charbagh to the growing residential area of Vasant Kunj. The line will feature 12 stations: seven underground and five elevated.

Underground Stations (6.879 km): Charbagh, Gautam Buddha Marg, Aminabad, Pandeyganj, City Railway Station, Medical Chauraha, Chowk

Elevated Stations (4.286 km): Thakurganj, Balaganj, Sarfarazganj, Moosabagh, Vasant Kunj

Officials anticipate that constructing the underground portion will pose "the greatest logistical and engineering challenges."

Though the corridor has an official completion window of five years, Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) is pushing for a four-year finish. Managing Director Sushil Kumar noted that extensive groundwork and data collection are already complete. Preliminary field work began after the Network Planning Group’s approval in July last year, potentially saving six to ten months during construction.

UPMRC plans to initiate the tendering process within three months of Cabinet approval. Contractors will then be given a six-week mobilisation period to bring in equipment and begin on-site work.