Cabinet Approves ₹5,801 Crore Lucknow Metro Phase-1B Project, Boosting Old City Connectivity
New Delhi, August 12 (TNA) In a major push to strengthen urban transport infrastructure in the Uttar Pradesh capital, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved Phase‑1B of the Lucknow Metro Rail Project. This phase will cover an 11.165 km corridor comprising 12 metro stations — seven underground and five elevated — with a total outlay of ₹5,801 crore.
Once operational, the new corridor will take Lucknow’s metro network to 34 km, marking a significant milestone in the city’s public transport system.
Revolutionising Connectivity in Old Lucknow
Phase‑1B is designed to address the lack of mass rapid transit in some of Lucknow’s oldest and most densely populated areas. It will link commercial hubs such as Aminabad, Yahiyaganj, Pandeyganj, and Chowk; crucial healthcare facilities including King George’s Medical University; as well as cultural and heritage landmarks like Bara Imambara, Chota Imambara, Bhool Bhulaiya, Clock Tower, and Rumi Darwaza. The route will also cater to the city’s famed food streets, boosting culinary tourism.
Reducing Congestion & Improving Urban Mobility
According to the government, the new corridor will serve as an efficient alternative to road transport, particularly easing traffic bottlenecks on heavily congested routes in Old Lucknow. The expected outcomes include reduced travel time, smoother vehicle movement, and enhanced road safety.
The project is also projected to contribute to lower carbon emissions by shifting commuters from fossil-fuel-based modes to electric metro travel. Beyond environmental benefits, improved connectivity to the airport, railway stations, and bus depots is expected to boost productivity, stimulate local commerce, and attract fresh investments to previously underserved areas.
• Lucknow Metro Rail Project Phase-1B (not Phase-1b or phase-1B; always capitalized and with the dash and upper-case B) • Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (official operator) • Key locations and attractions: Aminabad, Yahiyaganj, Pandeyganj, Chowk, King George’s Medical University, Bara Imambara, Chota Imambara, Bhool Bhulaiya, Clock Tower, Rumi Darwaza
Inclusive Mobility for All
Officials have highlighted that the expanded network will provide equitable access to public transport, narrowing socio-economic mobility gaps and improving citizens’ quality of life by connecting them faster to workplaces, markets, and essential services.
The Cabinet’s nod to Phase‑1B positions it as a transformative development for Lucknow, promising to reshape the city’s transport landscape, support sustainable growth, and enhance its appeal as a heritage, business, and tourism hub.