The Uttar Pradesh cabinet has waged a green war against the dirt and garbage polluting its rivers and is now marching towards the goal of making all these water bodies clean and serene. Focusing on all 31 rivers in the state, including Ganga, Yamuna and Saryu, the CM has directed officials to ensure that water streams in UP are cleared, purified and revived. Further, a plantation campaign will also be conducted along the rivers, reports read.
Accordingly, he has also designated authorities to improve the water quality of River Gomti in Lucknow. An official order has also been issued in this regard to release water from May 1 to May 15 here.
Cleaning Gomti; the heritage river of Lucknow
UP Jal Nigam is working in full swing to ensure that the construction of 120 MLD Gaizuddin Haider (GH) canal STP, worth ₹336 crores, is completed rapidly. As per reports, the canal will be made operational by September 22 and once in momentum, it will prevent the dirt from falling into the Gomti River. This, in turn, will enable a cleaner habitat for the aquatic animals and plants to thrive. Coined as the Haider Canal drain, the GH Canal project passes through Lucknow along the lines of the Sisamau drain in Kanpur.
In 2018 also, the CM had laid the foundation of the Gomti Cleanliness Campaign, instructing to make it clean and serene. A number of sewage treatment plants were also set up across the state to support this visionary initiative. According to a government spokesman, special care has been taken to prevent the felling of trees for these projects. “During the construction of STPs, as many as 150 big trees have been saved on the GH canal being built on six acres of land,” the spokesman said.
River Gomti is a major tributary of the River Ganges, that originates in the Pilibhit District. Consequently, the revival and cleaning of this river is beneficial for both Lucknow and Pilibhit, highlighted reports. While it will be a progressive gift to Pilibhit, which is on its way to becoming a tourist hub, the river holds heritage value in the capital and will be graced by a welcome response.
Official sources mentioned that Jal Nigam has also been instructed to prepare a DPR (Detail Project Report) for the construction of an STP on Sultanpur Road and for arranging drainage on Barabirwa Kanpur Road.
