Akhilesh finally has an achievement: After series of lows, UP Govt launches Lucknow Metro

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday inaugurated the much awaited construction work of Lucknow metro. Akhilesh performed the 'bhoomi pujan' of the first phase of Lucknow Metro project on Saturday at capital's PAC ground. Top dignitaries in the UP Government and Metro Man E Sreedharan were also present at the inaugural ceremony.

Here are a few things you should know about the Lucknow Metro

• On the lines of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) a similar Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) will be taking care of the entire metro project in the state capital.

• Kumar Keshav is the Managing Director (MD) of LMRC.

• Public Investment Board (PIB), on August 26, had given a positive feedback to the project after finding the progress satisfactory.

• In the past, teams from JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and World Bank have also arrived in Lucknow to review project for exploring loaning options.

• A total of 34 metro stations will be there in the Lucknow metro.

• Total route length of Lucknow Metro is 33.976 kilo meters.

• Work on first phase of Lucknow Metro begins today and is scheduled to be completed by 2016.

• The 22.878 km long North-South corridor will be constructed in the first phase.

• The first phase will connect the Amausi International Airport and Munshi Puliya.

• Out of proposed 22 stations in the North-South corridor, 19 stations will be elevated and three underground.

• The LMRC had reduced the underground stretch of North-South corridor from 7.5 km to approximately 3.5 km from Charbagh to Hazratganj.

• The cost of the first phase is estimated at Rs 6,757 crore.

• By 2020, an estimated 6.45 lakh passengers will use North-South corridor.

• East-West Corridor, comprising 12 stations, will be constructed under second phase.

• East-West corridor will be 11.098 km long.

UP Government's reaction

• CM Akhilesh Yadav after inauguration said it will ease traffic and bring world-class facility to Lucknow.

• The government considers it a major infrastructural boost to the capital city.

What is opposition BJP saying?

• BJP has expressed its displeasure after the UP Government awarded the project's construction work to L&T infrastructure.

• A case of murder was registered against L&T, in UP's Moradabad, after two people died at its construction site.

• BJP also accused the SP government of taking the credit for Lucknow metro project which was proposed by erstwhile Mayawati regime.