The second phase of the Lucknow Metro project has received a significant nod from the state government, paving the way for a transformative 11.2-kilometre expansion connecting Charbagh to Vasant Kunj.
The proposal, forwarded to the central government, now awaits the approval of the Public Investment Board (PIB) and the Union Cabinet before construction and tendering begin. Officials anticipate a key PIB meeting by the end of April, which may trigger the formal greenlighting of the project. The upcoming phase envisions a seamless, multimodal urban mobility network aimed at decongesting Lucknow’s traffic-prone areas and aligning with broader goals of eco-friendly infrastructure development. As outlined by senior officials from the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC), the new corridor will comprise 12 metro stations—seven of which will be underground and five elevated. The planned design integrates accessibility and speed while minimising the urban footprint and environmental impact.
According to project details, the underground segment—measuring approximately 6.8 kilometres—will run through densely populated and commercially significant areas including Charbagh, Gautam Buddha Marg, Aminabad, Pandeyganj, City Railway Station, Medical Chauraha, and Chowk. These locations form the heart of old Lucknow, where efficient public transportation is crucial to alleviating pressure on surface roads, particularly in areas underserved by current bus and autorickshaw services. The elevated section will extend metro access to Thakurganj, Balaganj, Musabagh, Sarfarazganj, and Vasant Kunj—enhancing connectivity to residential and emerging institutional hubs on the western edge of the city. A dedicated metro depot is planned at Vasant Kunj to support rolling stock maintenance and depot-level operations, ensuring smooth daily functioning once the line is operational.
Officials involved in the planning process stated that although the timeline for the full construction is pegged at six years, efforts are underway to compress the schedule to four years, contingent on timely financial clearance from the Centre. The urgency reflects the state’s commitment to bolstering Lucknow’s public transport systems and aligning with national urban development goals, particularly those promoting low-carbon and integrated mobility. This extension will add to the 22.87-kilometre North-South corridor currently in operation, which links Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport to Munshi Pulia. The operational corridor has already played a pivotal role in easing daily commutes and reducing dependency on private vehicles, leading to modest but measurable declines in local air pollution and congestion.
The second phase will take the total network length to over 34 kilometres, significantly enhancing coverage across critical residential, commercial, and institutional zones. Urban planners view this expansion as a step towards a more connected, inclusive, and resilient city—capable of withstanding both demographic pressures and climate-induced challenges such as rising vehicular emissions. Transport experts have hailed the project’s potential to reshape travel behaviour, particularly by encouraging more commuters to switch from private vehicles to public transit. The modal shift, if successful, could play a role in reducing the city’s transport-related carbon footprint—one of the key pillars of India’s net-zero vision. Moreover, with stations located in areas such as Aminabad and Chowk, where narrow lanes and pedestrian overcrowding are common, metro access could significantly improve mobility for senior citizens, students, and daily wage earners.
The project is also expected to generate thousands of jobs during the construction phase and promote economic activity in adjacent areas, particularly through transit-oriented development initiatives. In a statement, officials involved in the planning emphasised that the expansion is not only about improving transport but also about catalysing equitable urban growth through better access and opportunity. If executed on schedule, the Charbagh to Vasant Kunj metro corridor will mark a pivotal moment in Lucknow’s urban evolution—one that balances growth with environmental responsibility and lays the groundwork for a more sustainable and commuter-friendly future.
Lucknow Metro Expansion to Reach Vasant Kunj
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