• Source:JND
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The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) may have to wait a little longer for the final approval needed to begin work on the much-anticipated second phase of the Lucknow Metro—East-West Corridor from Charbagh to Basant Kunj. Although the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the 11.165 km corridor received financial clearance from the Public Investment Board (PIB) on May 21, it is now pending approval from the Union Cabinet.

UPMRC officials had earlier anticipated Cabinet clearance by the first week of June. However, with no meeting held so far and the Parliament’s monsoon session now scheduled, it is believed that the DPR may be taken up in the Union Cabinet meeting likely to be held on July 30.

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The delay has pushed back work on the corridor, which is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in areas such as KGMU, Chowk, and Dubagga, and provide fast, comfortable travel to commuters. Currently, nearly 90,000 people use the metro daily on the existing corridor. With the launch of both North-South and East-West corridors, this number is projected to rise to 2.5 lakh daily passengers.

The Rs 5,801 crore project will be jointly funded by the central and state governments, contributing 50 per cent of the cost, while the remaining 50 per cent will be raised by UPMRC through external loans.

In January 2023, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed UPMRC to submit the DPR for the East-West corridor. After state cabinet approval in March 2024, the proposal was forwarded to the Network Planning Group in Delhi for technical evaluation, which cleared it in July 2024. The DPR then received financial approval from the PIB, which forwarded it to all concerned ministries. Following inter-ministerial clearance, the final PIB report was issued, recommending the DPR for Cabinet approval.

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The second phase will include 12 stations:

-Underground stations: Charbagh, Gautam Buddha Marg, Aminabad, Pandeyganj, City Railway Station, Medical Square, and Nawazganj

-Elevated stations: Thakurganj, Balaganj, Sarfarazganj, Musabagh, and Basant Kunj

Once operational, the corridor is expected to provide major relief from traffic congestion and offer faster travel options to thousands of daily commuters in the city.