LUCKNOW, July 10 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the complete operational corridor of the Kanpur Metro and lay the foundation stone for Phase 1B of the Lucknow Metro on July 20, said one of the top Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation officials. If the proposed schedule goes ahead, the event will mark the completion of Kanpur Metro's first corridor while signalling the start of the next phase of the Lucknow Metro, further expanding the state's urban rapid transit network. While an official announcement regarding the PM's programme is awaited, preparations are underway for the proposed event. In Kanpur, the inauguration is likely to cover the entire 32.4-km Phase I Metro network comprising two corridors and 29 stations. The project includes the 23.8-km IIT Kanpur-Naubasta corridor, which has both elevated and underground sections, and the 8.6-km Agriculture University-Barra-8 corridor. While a priority stretch has already been made operational, the inauguration of the remaining section would make Kanpur's first Metro corridor fully operational. In Lucknow, the proposed Phase 1B will add a new 11.17-km east-west corridor connecting Charbagh with Vasant Kunj. The corridor will have 12 stations including seven underground and five elevated stations. It is estimated to cost around Rs.5,800 crore. The new line will originate from Charbagh and pass through densely populated areas, including Gautam Buddha Marg, Aminabad, Pandeyganj, City railway station, Medical College crossing and Chowk before continuing on an elevated alignment through Thakurganj, Balaganj, Sarfarazganj and Musa Bagh to terminate at Vasant Kunj. The project is expected to improve Metro connectivity to Lucknow's old city and western localities. The event is expected to mark simultaneous progress on two of the state's largest Metro projects, with Kanpur completing a key phase of its network and Lucknow entering the next stage of expansion, say Metro officials on the condition of anonymity....