LUCKNOW, Feb. 3 -- In the first major step towards the construction of Lucknow Metro's long-awaited East-West Corridor, the UP Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) has declared AYESA Ingenieria y Arquitectura S.A.U - AYESA India Pvt. Ltd JV as the lowest bidder for the consultancy assignment, marking the first tender award for the corridor (detailed design consultant contract). The JV secured the contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 (East-West Corridor) with a bid value of Rs.15.90 crore under contract package, following a competitive bidding process. Once all designs are ready, work on the ground will start immediately, said an official of UPMRC. Under the contract, AYESA will be responsible for providing comprehensive detailed design and consultancy services for the E-W Corridor. The scope of work spans multiple disciplines, including civil, architectural, electromechanical (E&M) and traction systems, ensuring seamless integration across all components of the project. These services will cover the entire corridor, encompassing both elevated and underground sections, along with stations, entry and exit ramps, viaducts and the metro depot. AYESA's role will also involve ensuring compliance with safety standards, technical specifications and sustainability requirements, while supporting efficient execution and long-term operational reliability. Line 2 is a strategically important corridor, planned as an 11.165-km stretch connecting Charbagh railway station to Vasant Kunj, passing through the dense and historic areas of Old Lucknow. According to the detailed project report (DPR), the corridor will include 4.286 km of elevated alignment with five stations between Vasant Kunj and Thakurganj and 6.879 km of underground alignment with seven stations between Charbagh and Niwazganj. The Line-2 project received approval from the central government in August 2025, with an estimated total project cost of Rs.5,801 crore. UPMRC invited bids for the DDC contract in August for a 60-month consultancy period. Technical bids were opened in October, revealing two contenders - AYESA and SYSTRA-Ardanuy JV. Financial bids were opened on Jan 21, with AYESA emerging as the lowest bidder....