Five bidders—AFCONS Infrastructure Limited, Cemindia Projects Limited, Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and Tata Projects—have submitted bids for the Lucknow Metro Phase 1B underground section.

Project scope: Design and construction of underground section from Charbagh Metro Station to Chowk Metro Station, approximately 6.70 km, with 7 underground metro stations. Estimated cost: ₹1,878 crore.

The Charbagh–Chowk section is significant due to the area's dense urban environment and established commercial and residential activity. Underground construction will reduce surface-level disruption while providing dedicated right-of-way for high-capacity urban rail services. Works will include tunnelling, station construction, structural engineering, utility management and safety systems.

The successful contractor will be selected after technical and financial evaluation by the project authority.

Train services at Charbagh station disrupted on September 14-15 due to construction work on concourse and overhead electric equipment (OHE). Over 30 trains affected with diversions and platform changes implemented.

Five companies qualified in the technical evaluation for Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation’s underground package on Lucknow Metro Phase-1B. Financial bids are scheduled to open on 5 October 2026 at 3:00 PM; technical qualification is not a contract award.

The package covers approximately 6.52 km from Charbagh Metro Station to the ramp after Chowk Metro Station, including seven underground stations: Charbagh, Gautam Buddha Marg, Aminabad, Pandeyganj, Lucknow City, Medical Chauraha and Chowk Chauraha. Its tender value is approximately ₹1,877.89 crore.

Phase-1B is an 11.165-km corridor with 12 stations—7 underground and 5 elevated—and an overall approved outlay of ₹5,801 crore. The Union Cabinet approved it in August 2025. The package includes the connecting ramp, associated structures and external development, property-development-related works, traffic management, tunnelling, engineering and design.

The technically qualified bidders are Tata Projects, Cemindia Projects Limited, Larsen & Toubro, Hindustan Construction Company Limited and Afcons Infrastructure Limited.

• Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) expects construction of Lucknow Metro’s East-West Corridor to start in early October or during Navratri, with a VVIP foundation-stone ceremony being scheduled. Work was delayed until after the monsoon; the project has a five-year completion schedule.
• The ₹5,801-crore project, jointly funded by the Centre and Uttar Pradesh, received central approval in 2025 and will connect Charbagh with Vasant Kunj through Old Lucknow.
• The 11.165-km corridor will have 6.879 km underground and 4.286 km elevated, with 12 stations: underground—Charbagh, Gautam Buddha Marg, Aminabad, Pandeyganj, City Railway Station, Medical Chauraha and Chowk; elevated—Thakurganj, Balაგanj, Sarfarazganj, Musa Bagh and Vasant Kunj.
• Preparatory work has begun. UPMRC awarded AYESA India Pvt. Ltd. the Line-2 Detailed Design Consultant contract in February and initiated construction tenders for parts of the elevated section.

UPMRC and the Lucknow Development Authority have sent the Uttar Pradesh government a proposal to extend the North-South corridor from Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport–Munshipulia to Barabanki via Ayodhya Road, Matiyari and Anaura Kala. The survey report has been submitted; the proposal has in-principle government approval, but DPR preparation and formal approval are pending.

A UPMRC survey envisages nearly 150 km of metro network over the coming decade, through 7–10 corridors. Ayodhya Road and Charbagh–PGI were identified as the busiest and most viable routes for early expansion. The extension aims to serve daily travel between Lucknow and Barabanki for jobs, education, healthcare and business, reduce congestion and travel times, and improve access to residential and commercial growth areas. Proposed station facilities include parking, e-cycle and e-bike rentals, last-mile electric mobility and improved access. The project could support housing, rental, retail and mixed-use demand near Kamta, Matiyari and Anaura Kala. The project remains at survey and proposal stage; DPRs would determine alignments, stations, costs, ridership and funding.