Green Signal for Lucknow Metro’s East-West Corridor: A ₹5801-Crore Boost to City’s Connectivity
By Tajdar H. Zaidi | Lucknow
In a landmark decision that promises to redefine urban mobility in the state capital, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has formally approved the much-awaited Lucknow Metro’s East-West Corridor project.
The corridor, a vital part of Phase 1B of the metro expansion plan, will be constructed at a cost of ₹5801 crore and will significantly ease travel for lakhs of commuters across the city.
A Long-Awaited Approval
The Cabinet’s nod follows a meticulous series of approvals and clearances over the past year. The Public Investment Board (PIB) had given its consent in May 2025 during a high-level meeting chaired by the Union Finance Secretary in New Delhi.
Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh government had already cleared the Detailed Project Report (DPR) in March 2024, with the Network Planning Group (NPG) also extending its clearance on July 9, 2024. This paved the way for the Union Cabinet to give the final green signal.
Preparatory groundwork has also been underway:
- In November 2024, Epitome Geotechnical Services was awarded the topographical survey contract.
- In January 2025, Arun Soil Lab was entrusted with geotechnical soil investigations.
The Corridor at a Glance
Stretching 11.165 km from Charbagh to Vasantkunj, the corridor will blend elevated and underground routes to maximize convenience while minimizing land constraints.
- Underground stretch: 6.879 km
- Elevated stretch: 4.286 km
- Total stations: 12 (7 underground, 5 elevated)
Station List
- Underground: Charbagh, Gautam Buddha Marg, Aminabad, Pandeyganj, City Railway Station, Medical Chauraha, Chowk
- Elevated: Thakurganj, Balaganj, Sarfarazganj, Moosabagh, Vasant Kunj
Transforming Travel in Lucknow
The East-West Corridor is more than just a metro line—it is a lifeline for daily commuters. The densely populated and commercially vibrant stretches it will cover include Aminabad, Chowk, and Medical Chauraha, which are known for heavy traffic congestion.
By linking residential hubs like Vasant Kunj, Moosabagh, and Thakurganj with major commercial and transit points such as Charbagh Railway Station and City Railway Station, the corridor will:
- Reduce travel time drastically across East-West Lucknow.
- Ease traffic congestion in the busiest markets and residential belts.
- Provide safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly public transport.
- Enhance connectivity to hospitals, railway hubs, and shopping districts.
For the common citizen—be it an office-goer, student, trader, or tourist—this corridor means greater comfort, reliability, and freedom from the daily grind of chaotic road traffic.
Completion Timeline
The project is expected to be completed in five years, marking a major milestone in Lucknow’s journey towards becoming a modern, smart, and sustainable city.
The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC), which has already delivered the North-South Corridor (Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport to Munshipulia), will oversee this expansion, ensuring world-class facilities and timely completion.
A Metro for the People, By the People
This new corridor symbolizes growth with inclusivity. It will bring the heritage-rich Old Lucknow closer to the newly developing western suburbs, knitting the city together in a seamless flow of mobility.
The East-West corridor isn’t just about steel and concrete; it is about empowering people with choices, comfort, and convenience—a testimony to how infrastructure directly impacts quality of life.
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