In a significant move towards the expansion of Lucknow Metro, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the East-West corridor planned between Charbagh and Vasant Kunj under Phase 1B of Lucknow Metro has been approved by the Network Planning Group (NPG) during a crucial meeting held in Delhi on July 9, 2024. Earlier this year in March, the state government had already granted clearance for this project. Sushil Kumar, MD, UPMRC emphasised the importance of the NPG?s approval of the East-West Corridor. This project is crucial for urban transportation in Lucknow as well as for the existing metro corridor, he stated. The NPG meeting, chaired by the Additional Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, took place at Vanijya Bhawan in Delhi. The meeting discussed various utilities (water pipelines, transmission lines, sewer lines, etc.), railway lines, buildings or monuments related to the Archaeology Department, bus stands, and multi-modal connectivity using the PM Gati Shakti (PMG) National Master Plan Portal. No obstacles were found for the construction of the East-West Corridor Metro. The PM GatiShakti portal provides detailed and precise information about various utilities such as railway lines, sewers, drains, protected monuments, highways, bridges, and flyovers that might obstruct metro construction. This greatly saves time in construction planning. Representatives from several departments related to the project, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Defence, Railways, Environment and Forests, and Finance, attended the NPG meeting. Following the NPG, the next major phase is the Public Investment Board, which requires the approval of the project?s DPR by the Central Cabinet. The proposed East-West corridor from Charbagh to Vasant Kunj will have a total length of 11.165 kilometres, with 4.286 kilometres elevated and 6.879 kilometres underground. The corridor will include a total of 12 stations, with 7 underground and 5 elevated stations. The estimated completion time for this proposed corridor is 5 years with an estimated cost of Rs 58.01 billion. The East-West corridor will connect with the existing North-South corridor at Charbagh Metro station, serving as an interchange station. The stations of the E-W Corridor are as follows: 1. Charbagh (Underground) 2. Gautam Buddh Road (Underground) 3. Aminabad (Underground) 4. Pandeyganj (Underground) 5. City Railway Station (Underground) 6. Medical Chauraha (Underground) 7. Chowk (Underground) 8. Thakurganj (Elevated) 9. Balaganj (Elevated) 10. Sarfarazganj (Elevated) 11. Moosa Bagh (Elevated) 12. Vasant Kunj (Elevated) The East-West corridor of Lucknow Metro from Charbagh to Vasant Kunj will provide connectivity to major locations in old Lucknow such as Aminabad and Chowk. It will also connect other congested areas along its route, offering convenience to the people of Lucknow. (Source: ET)