Relief for Lucknow's 200-YO Kukrail River as ₹67 crore cleansing project concludes

The past weekend marked a much-awaited moment for Lucknow's Kukrail River. The project aimed at reducing the flow of untreated sewage into the river, known as The Kukrail River Interception and Diversion Project, reached its completion.

The said project will prevent sewage from a total of 17 drains from going untreated into the river. The sewage, in turn, will be diverted to the Kukrail sewage pumping station (SPS) before being treated at the Bharwara treatment plant.

Now, no amount of untreated sewage will flow into the river, which marks a massive milestone towards the complete cleanliness of the river.

This I & D project not only improves the city's urban water management but will also do wonders for the river itself. Notably, this project was approved way back in the financial year 2020-21. Taken up by Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC), this ambitious and much-needed project was completed this weekend at a cost of ₹67.65 crore.

Over the years, the Kukrail River has been subjected to year-after-year of pollution with record amounts of untreated sewage entering it. The concern surrounding it had also been raised several times in that duration, which led to this project getting complete approval back in 2020-21.

Be it its history, ecological importance, or the role it plays in water management, Kukrail River is and has always been extremely vital for Lucknow. Believed to have originated over 200 years ago, the river also has great cultural significance. At one time, locals believe that bathing in its water at the Dasaur Baba Pond could cure a dog bite.

When it comes to its contribution towards the city's water management, Kukrail River can discharge a total of 350 million litres of water during heavy rain. Encroachments on the banks of the river have also been removed gradually over the years to retain its health.

And now, the completion of the I & D project gives wings to the hope of seeing Lucknow's centuries-old Kukrail River in its cleanest and the healthiest state EVER.

LMC officials now say that similar projects will be taken up to solve the problem of untreated sewage from other drains, as well. The officials working on these upcoming projects have also been advised to follow the same model as the one used in the Kukrail River Interception and Diversion Project (I & D Project).