Passengers travelling between Charbagh and Vasant Kunj will soon enjoy faster and more frequent metro services, with trains on the East-West Corridor’s Blue Line scheduled every five minutes. The 11.165 km route will cover the distance in just 24 minutes, operating three-coach light metro trains. The depot for this corridor will be located in Vasant Kunj, housing 12 train sets.

According to UPMRC officials, the East-West Corridor is expected to be a “game changer” for city traffic, attracting 1.5 lakh daily passengers and boosting the total daily metro ridership to over 2.5 lakh.

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Half of the Rs 5,801 crore project cost will be funded through loans, similar to the earlier European Investment Bank financing, with the remaining split between the Central and State governments. UPMRC Managing Director Sushil Kumar said the aim is to complete the project ahead of schedule, as was achieved in Phase 1.

Impact on City Life

  • Markets: The corridor will improve access to Latouch Road, Aminabad, Pandeyganj Galla Mandi, and the Rakabganj spice market, benefiting an estimated 15,000–20,000 shoppers daily.
  • Healthcare: Patients arriving at Charbagh for treatment at KGMU will reach within 10–12 minutes. Access will also improve to Balrampur, Dufferin, and TB hospitals.
  • Education: The route will connect several institutions, including Vidyavant Hindu College, Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Government Jubilee College, Nari Shiksha Niketan, and Kalicharan PG College.
  • Tourism: Key heritage sites such as Bada Imambara, Bhool Bhulaiya, Clock Tower, Rumi Darwaza, Musabagh, and the Kakori memorial will be easier to reach.
  • Technology: Operations will use a third rail system for 750V DC traction, avoiding disruptions from kite-flying — a problem on existing overhead wire corridors.

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Metro Development Timeline

  • Construction of the 8.5 km Transport Nagar–Charbagh stretch began on 27 September 2014.
  • First commercial operations began on 5 September 2017.
  • Phase 1-A from Airport to Munshipulia opened on 9 March 2019, costing Rs 6,928 crore.

The East-West Corridor, initially planned from Rajajipuram to Heinemann via Hazratganj, was revised to run from Vasant Kunj to Charbagh. UPMRC has also proposed eight future metro extensions, including Munshipulia–Jankipuram, CG City–Airport, and Rajajipuram–IIM.