The ambitious East-West Corridor of the Lucknow Metro is poised for a significant acceleration following a crucial decision by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA). In a major boost to the city's infrastructure, the LDA has agreed to allocate substantial parcels of land to facilitate the construction of key project components.
Land Allocated for Critical Construction Facilities
During a pivotal meeting held on Friday, LDA Vice-Chairman Prathamesh Kumar and officials from the metro authority charted the path forward. The LDA has decided to provide approximately 12.5 hectares of land for establishing a temporary casting yard, essential for pre-fabricating metro components.
This land comprises two plots: about 6 hectares in Sector-K of the Basant Kunj scheme and nearly 6.5 hectares that is currently used as temporary parking. The parking area was developed under the Prabandhnagar Yojana for the inauguration of the Rashtra Prerna Sthal. Subject to mutual agreement, this land will be formally transferred to the metro authorities.
New Depot Location and Relocation of Fish Market
In a separate but equally important decision, the LDA has identified a large plot for the construction of a permanent metro depot. Around 18 hectares of land in the southern part of Sector-A of the Basant Kunj scheme has been earmarked for this purpose.
This site is currently occupied by the Dubagga fish market. To ensure a smooth transition, the LDA has proposed an exchange. An equivalent parcel of land in the proposed Varun Vihar scheme along the Agra Expressway will be provided to rehabilitate the fish market, addressing the concerns of existing stakeholders.
Expediting the Process for Swift Execution
During the discussions, metro officials also requested land at other strategic locations including Chowk, Charbagh, and Gautam Budh Marg. Responding proactively, Vice-Chairman Kumar directed his team to act swiftly.
He instructed officials to conduct surveys of the proposed sites at the earliest and to issue necessary No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the land transfer. Furthermore, he mandated that all records pertaining to land owned by the municipal corporation be made available to the concerned departments within one week.
These decisive steps are expected to remove major logistical hurdles and significantly speed up the execution of the East-West Corridor. By providing land for the casting yard and depot, the LDA has addressed two fundamental requirements for large-scale metro construction, paving the way for enhanced infrastructure development and better connectivity across Lucknow.
