"UPMRC floats ₹492 crore tender for elevated station works on Lucknow Metro’s Phase 1B."

Lucknow’s second metro corridor is moving closer to reality, with the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) floating a ₹492.22 crore tender for the construction of five elevated stations, marking the launch of Phase 1B of the city’s metro expansion.

According to the tender, the project involves designing and constructing a 4.6-km elevated viaduct from Thakurganj to Vasantkunj. The plan includes five elevated stations—Thakurganj, Balaganj, Sarfarazganj, Musabagh, and Vasantkunj—along with a 740-metre ramp connecting the main line to the depot. The contract covers all major works, including civil structures, architectural finishes, pre-engineered buildings, water supply, drainage, fire-fighting systems, and complete electrical and mechanical installations. UPMRC has set a completion timeline of 30 months from the start of the project.

Tender documents were released on the government e-portal on January 1, with submissions closing on February 2. A mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled virtually for January 12, while technical bids will be opened on February 3.

The tender specifies strict eligibility criteria to ensure only capable bidders participate. Companies must demonstrate strong financial health, including minimum net worth and liquidity, and a proven track record of completing large-scale metro or viaduct projects worth hundreds of crores in the past seven years.

In line with national policy initiatives, the tender emphasizes the ‘Make in India’ directive, requiring bidders to declare the percentage of local content in their proposals. Preference will be given to ‘Class-I Local Suppliers’ with over 50 per cent local value addition. A clause addressing security restrictions for bidders from countries sharing land borders with India has also been included, in line with central government procurement rules.

The full second corridor will span 11.165 km, comprising 4.286 km of elevated track and 6.879 km underground, with 12 stations—seven underground and five elevated—serving both heritage zones and emerging residential areas. The project’s estimated cost is ₹5,801 crore, with a planned completion timeline of five years.

This phase of Lucknow Metro is expected to significantly enhance urban mobility and support the city’s growing residential and commercial sectors.