The ambitious second metro corridor for Lucknow has taken a significant leap forward. The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) has officially initiated the tendering process for a crucial segment of the project, marking the start of its next major construction phase.
Project Scope and Financial Outlay
The corporation has invited bids worth a substantial Rs 492.22 crore for the design and construction of five elevated stations and associated infrastructure. This work falls under Phase 1B of the city's metro network expansion. The contract encompasses a 4.6 km long elevated viaduct stretching from Thakurganj to Vasantkunj.
The five stations to be built are Thakurganj, Balaganj, Sarfarazganj, Musabagh, and Vasantkunj. A key component of the project is a 740-metre ramp that will connect the main metro line to the depot. The tender document outlines comprehensive work, including civil structures, architectural finishes, pre-engineered buildings, and complete installations for water supply, drainage, fire-fighting, electrical, and mechanical systems.
Stringent Bidding Process and Timeline
UPMRC has set an ambitious deadline, expecting the entire package to be completed within 30 months from the project's commencement date. The bidding process is detailed and rigorous. Tender documents became available on the government e-portal starting January 1. The last date for bid submission is February 2.
A mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for January 12, to be conducted virtually, allowing interested bidders to seek clarifications. The technical bids will be opened on February 3. The eligibility criteria are strict to ensure only capable firms participate. Bidders must demonstrate strong financial health, including minimum net worth and liquidity requirements.
They must also have a proven track record, having successfully completed similar large-scale viaduct or metro projects in the last seven years, with the financial value of such works running into hundreds of crores of rupees.
Policy Directives and Broader Project Vision
The tender reinforces key national policies. It mandates bidders to declare the percentage of local content in their offer, giving purchase preference to 'Class-I Local Suppliers' whose goods or works have over 50% local value addition. This is a crucial element in the evaluation and award process, aligning with the 'Make in India' initiative.
Furthermore, a critical clause addresses security-related restrictions for bidders from countries that share land borders with India, a standard rule in central government procurement. The second corridor, in its entirety, will span 11.165 km, featuring 4.286 km of elevated track and 6.879 km of underground sections.
It will have a total of 12 metro stations—seven underground and five elevated—strategically designed to serve both heritage zones and emerging residential areas. The estimated total cost for the entire corridor project is a massive Rs 5,801 crore, with an overall completion timeframe set at five years.
