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A recent audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has raised concerns over construction quality and compliance in the Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation project. The report found that rail tracks do not meet prescribed hardness standards, which may lead to faster wear and higher maintenance costs. It also pointed to expired safety certification, noise levels above limits, irregular payments, missing approvals and the exclusion of one planned station without required consent. The findings highlight gaps in execution, oversight and adherence to the approved Detailed Project Report.
The audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, tabled in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly in the past week, has identified serious shortcomings in the implementation of the Lucknow Metro project operated by Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation. Advertisement
One of the key findings relates to the quality of rails used in the corridor. Tests conducted by Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur showed that the hardness of the tracks was below the standards prescribed under Indian Railway specifications. The audit noted that weaker rails could result in faster wear of tracks and wheels, increasing maintenance requirements and long-term costs. It also raises concerns about durability and operational reliability over time.
The report further observed that an interim speed certificate, issued in early 2017 to assess safe operating conditions and wheel-rail interaction, was valid for five years but was not renewed after its expiry. The absence of a renewed certification means that periodic safety validation was not carried out as required. In addition, noise levels recorded inside metro coaches were found to be higher than permissible limits at certain locations along the corridor.
The audit also highlighted deviations from the approved Detailed Project Report (DPR). Phase 1 of the project was planned for about 22.88 km with 22 stations, including a station at Mahanagar. However, only 21 stations were constructed, and the Mahanagar station was dropped without obtaining mandatory approval from the central government. The audit stated that this action was not in line with the DPR, funding agreements and the memorandum of understanding governing the project.
Financial and contractual irregularities were also flagged. The report pointed to irregular payments made to contractors, instances where performance guarantees were not properly secured, and procurement processes that did not fully follow prescribed tender norms. It also noted that certain groundwater extraction permissions required for construction activities were not obtained. Security service contracts were awarded without adopting an open competitive bidding process.
The Lucknow Metro was one of the first metro projects implemented in a tier-2 city under central and state partnership funding. The corridor became operational in phases and has since been serving daily commuters. However, the audit findings indicate that while the project achieved timely commissioning, compliance with technical, financial and regulatory requirements was not fully ensured.
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