AYESA bags First Construction-Linked Tender for Lucknow Metro East–West Corridor

Lucknow, India (Metro Rail Today): In a major step forward for the expansion of the Lucknow Metro network, Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first key tender related to the East–West Corridor of the city’s metro system. AYESA Ingenieria y Arquitectura S.A.U – AYESA India Pvt Ltd Joint Venture has emerged as the lowest bidder and has been selected as the Detailed Design Consultant for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B of the project.

The consultancy contract, designated as LKDDC-02, has been recommended for award at a value of ₹15.90 crore. This development marks the first significant tender award linked to the construction of the East–West corridor and indicates that pre-construction activities for Line-2 are now firmly gaining momentum.

UPMRC had invited bids for the Detailed Design Consultant role in August 2025 with a contract duration of 60 months. Technical bids were opened in October 2025, revealing two contenders, AYESA and the SYSTRA–Ardanuy Joint Venture. Financial bids were subsequently opened on January 21, following which AYESA was declared the lowest bidder, with a substantially competitive quote compared to its counterpart.

Line-2 Alignment Through Old Lucknow

Lucknow Metro Line-2 is a strategically important corridor planned to connect Charbagh Railway Station with Vasant Kunj, passing through the dense and historic areas of Old Lucknow. The 11.165 km long corridor will consist of 12 stations and has been approved by the Government of India in August 2025 at an estimated project cost of ₹5,801 crore.

As per the Detailed Project Report for Phase 1B, the corridor will feature a mix of elevated and underground sections to balance urban constraints and heritage considerations. The elevated stretch will extend over approximately 4.286 km between Vasant Kunj and Thakurganj with five stations, while the underground section will span about 6.879 km from Charbagh to Niwazganj with seven stations. A depot is also planned at Vasant Kunj to support operations and maintenance.

Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group, said the award of the DDC contract is a critical milestone for the project. “The appointment of the Detailed Design Consultant is where a metro corridor truly begins to take shape. For a city like Lucknow, with its dense urban fabric and heritage zones, strong design coordination will be key to delivering a modern metro system that is efficient, safe and sensitive to its surroundings,” she said.

Construction Tenders to Follow Soon

According to UPMRC officials, tendering for the elevated section of the East–West corridor has already been initiated, with bids floated on January 1, and the award is expected shortly. Tenders for the depot construction and underground section are also planned to be issued in the near term, signalling a phased but steady rollout of construction packages.

Dr. Vinod Shah, Director General of the Indian Chamber of Railway Industries, noted that the progress on Lucknow Metro Line-2 reflects growing execution maturity among metro agencies. “The rapid movement from project approval to consultant appointment and construction tendering shows institutional readiness. Such projects also create sustained opportunities for Indian consultants, contractors and suppliers, strengthening the domestic metro rail ecosystem,” he said.

With the Detailed Design Consultant now in place and construction tenders lined up, Lucknow Metro’s East–West corridor is poised to move from planning to execution. Once completed, Line-2 is expected to significantly improve east–west mobility across the city, reduce congestion in Old Lucknow and further reinforce metro rail as the backbone of urban transport in Uttar Pradesh’s capital.