It is the 3rd largest urban transit system in Uttar Pradesh after Delhi Meerut RRTS and Noida Metro.

[7] The Government of Uttar Pradesh Approved the construction of the 11.165 km long East-West Corridor between Vasant Kunj to Charbagh, Phase 1B Blue Line at an estimated budget of ₹5,881 crore (US$680 million) in January 2024.

[11] The original design of the metro project included one north-south and one east-west corridor, with links through Gomti Nagar.

[12] The initial layout of the east-west corridor started from Rajajipuram and ended at Hahnemann, after passing through Gomti Nagar via Hazratganj and Patrakarpuram, a distance of 14 kilometres (8.7 mi).

However, in 2010 the design was changed so the corridor started from Vasant Kunj and terminated at Charbagh, a revised distance of 13 kilometres (8.1 mi).

When completed, the corridor would run for a total distance of 23 kilometres (14 mi) and connect Amausi airport to Munshipulia.

[18] In 2013, a report published by the Department of Housing and Urban Planning of the Government of Uttar Pradesh resulted in major changes to the metro project.

The report also proposed the construction of an elevated Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) as a feeder service to the metro.

[56][57] Over 50% of the Lucknow Metro rail project is funded through external debt from European Investment Bank.

[63][64] The north–south corridor of the Lucknow Metro uses an automated fare collection (AFC) system, provided by Datamatics.