Lucknow Metro’s East-West Corridor Construction to Begin by Early 2026

The much-awaited East-West corridor of the Lucknow Metro is set to take off by February–March 2026, with officials from the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) confirming a five-year construction timeline.

The 11.2-km stretch, cleared for development on August 12, 2025, will traverse some of the city’s most congested areas, promising to ease connectivity once complete. However, given the complexity of underground construction, officials say meticulous planning is key to minimising disruptions.

Traffic Diversion Strategy in the Works

With the corridor slicing through high-density areas, traffic management will be a top concern during the five-year build. UPMRC is currently conducting surveys and simulations to draft a traffic diversion plan that balances construction with daily life.

“We are aiming for highly efficient execution. From station alignments to traffic diversions, every detail is being carefully studied to ensure minimal inconvenience,” a UPMRC official said.

Compact Stations, Smaller Trains

Unlike the first North-South line that relied on Delhi Metro’s model, the new corridor is being tailored specifically for Lucknow’s commuter patterns.

It will launch with three-coach trains, scalable to five if needed — a shift from the earlier four-to-six coach system. Officials explained the decision is based on ridership forecasts and urban density along the route, making operations leaner and cost-effective.

To further optimize costs and reduce the city’s construction footprint, upcoming metro stations will be more compact compared to the spacious designs seen in Phase 1.

Advanced Construction Technologies

The East-West line will combine elevated and underground stretches. Around four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be deployed for the underground portion, with only their entry and exit points visible to the public.

For elevated sections, most viaducts will be pre-cast off-site and assembled on location, minimising disturbance.

The project blueprint — covering station design, tunnel alignment, ventilation, and logistics — is currently being finalised. International tenders will be floated in three packages: elevated works, underground works, and depot construction.

Key Connectivity Gains

UPMRC MD Susheel Kumar said the new corridor will enhance multimodal connectivity, linking Charbagh and City railway stations, major medical institutions like KGMU and Era, and prominent hubs including Old Lucknow, Aminabad, and Chowk.

“No crossings on the metro route will be closed due to construction, thanks to careful planning,” he added.

Why Five Years for Just 11.2 km?

Though shorter than the 23-km North-South line, which was completed in 3.5 years, the East-West stretch presents tougher challenges:

• Seven underground stations require complex tunnelling and excavation.
• Utility shifting and structural reinforcements in high-density zones.
• Underground construction typically takes 2–3 times longer than elevated projects.

Despite these hurdles, officials maintain the corridor will be delivered on time, significantly expanding Lucknow’s metro network and providing long-term relief to commuters battling congestion.