Five major firms bid for ₹1,878 crore Underground Section of Lucknow Metro Phase 1B Project

Lucknow, India (Rail & Metro Today): Five major infrastructure and construction companies have emerged as bidders for the Lucknow Metro Phase 1B underground section, covering the proposed Charbagh–Chowk corridor and involving the design and construction of seven underground metro stations. The scope of works includes Design and Construction of Underground Section from Charbagh Metro Station to Chowk Metro Station Approx 6.70 km, Construction of 7 Underground Metro Stations including Civil Works for Phase 1B of Lucknow Metro Rail Project. The estimated cost of project work is ₹₹1,878 crore.

The bidders for the major underground construction package include AFCONS Infrastructure Limited, Cemindia Projects Limited, Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Tata Projects.

The participation of these established infrastructure companies highlights the scale and importance of the proposed underground expansion of the Lucknow Metro network. The tender covers the design and construction of the underground section between Charbagh and Chowk, including seven underground stations.

Five Companies in Race for Underground Metro Package

The companies participating in the tender are among the major engineering and infrastructure contractors operating in India's transportation and urban infrastructure sector.

AFCONS Infrastructure Limited, part of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, has extensive experience in large infrastructure and metro construction projects.

Cemindia Projects Limited is another bidder for the package, while Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) is participating with its experience in complex civil and underground infrastructure projects.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T), one of India's largest engineering and construction companies, has also submitted a bid. Tata Projects, which has undertaken several major urban infrastructure and metro projects, completes the list of five bidders.

The tender information indicates that the package is focused on the design and construction of the underground section and seven underground stations between Charbagh and Chowk.

Charbagh–Chowk Corridor

The Charbagh–Chowk section represents an important part of the planned expansion of Lucknow's metro infrastructure. Development of an underground corridor in this part of the city is particularly significant because of the area's dense urban environment and established commercial and residential activity.

Underground metro construction can help reduce surface-level disruption in built-up areas while providing dedicated right-of-way for high-capacity urban rail services. However, execution of underground packages also requires specialised tunnelling, station construction, structural engineering, utility management and safety systems.

The selection of the successful bidder will therefore be an important next step for the Phase 1B underground package.

Major Competition for Metro Construction Contract

The presence of five established bidders is expected to make the tender a closely contested infrastructure procurement process. AFCONS, Cemindia Projects, HCC, L&T and Tata Projects collectively represent significant experience across civil engineering, tunnelling and urban transportation infrastructure.

The tender currently represents a bidding stage, and the participation of these companies should not be interpreted as selection or award of the contract. The successful bidder will be known after completion of the applicable technical and financial evaluation process and issuance of the contract award by the project authority.

Next Stage

The Lucknow Metro Phase 1B underground package is now set to move through the tender evaluation process. The successful contractor will be responsible for delivering the design and construction works covered under the package, including the seven underground stations on the Charbagh–Chowk corridor.

The development of the underground section is expected to be an important step in expanding Lucknow’s rapid transit infrastructure and strengthening metro connectivity through some of the city’s established urban areas.