Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) is a joint venture company that operates the Lucknow Metro, Agra Metro and Kanpur Metro. The Varanasi Metro, Prayagraj Metro, Gorakhpur Metro, and Bareilly Metro are proposed by UPMRC. The company's headquarters is at Vipin Khand, Gomti Nagar in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

The Noida Metro, although located in Uttar Pradesh, is not operated by UPMRC and is instead operated by the Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC), a separate company.

Similarly, Meerut Metro and Delhi Meerut RRTS also located in Uttar Pradesh are not operated by UPMRC and are instead operated by National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).

History
The LMRC was formed as a special purpose vehicle by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in 2013 to build and operate the Lucknow Metro.

The formation of LMRC was formally approved by the Cabinet of Uttar Pradesh Government in June 2013.

The SPV was incorporated under Companies Act, 1956 on 25 November 2013, and it got the certificate to commence business on 24 December 2013. The authorised capital of the company was decided to be inr 20000000000.

In 2016, to speed up clearance processes for Lucknow Metro, LMRC became a 50:50 joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

As a result, the LMRC board was reconstituted with five nominee directors being nominated by both Government of India and Government of Uttar Pradesh each, apart from the three full-time directors. Additionally, the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh was replaced by the Union Urban Development Secretary as the ex-officio Chairman of LMRC.

In 2017. the Lucknow Metro was inaugurated and opened to the public.

In 2018, LMRC was reconstituted to cover and implement other metro projects in the state and renamed as Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation.

In 2021, the Kanpur Metro was open to the public. This was the fastest built and commissioned metro system in the world built in 24 months.

On 6 March 2024, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the priority corridor of the Agra Metro.

Operational systems
Currently there are five operational systems in the state, Lucknow Metro, Kanpur Metro and Agra Metro that are operated by UPMRC the other two being Noida Metro's Aqua Line operated by NMRC and Delhi Meerut RRTS operated by NCRTC.

Apart from this, Metro systems are also operationalised in Noida (Blue Line) and Ghaziabad (Blue Line) which are part of Delhi Metro operated by DMRC.

Services
Apart from operating Lucknow Metro, Kanpur Metro, UPMRC also provides consultancy services for Metro projects in Uttar Pradesh.

UPMRC in association with RITES has prepared Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for Metro in various cities of Uttar Pradesh. UPMRC is also currently working as an interim consultant for implementation of Agra Metro, Prayagraj Metro, and Varanasi Metro and also Gorakhpur Metro projects.

Along with this number of ropeway projects are also under implementation stage including Varanasi Ropeway Project.

Kanpur Metro has faced criticism for its low ridership. It had daily average ridership of only 8,000 to 10,000 passengers a day.

Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad Metro are run by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. While Meerut Metro and Delhi Meerut RRTS are operated by National Capital Region Transport Corporation.

Another RRTS connecting Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida and Jewar is expected to also start construction, Geographical survey and DPR preparation is currently underway. The Uttar Pradesh government will fund 50% of the project, while 20% will come from the Centre and the remaining 30 will be borne by Yeida, and Greater Noida.