CM Yogi announced ‘Gomti Rejuvenation Mission’. Gomti will be uninterrupted and clean from Pilibhit to Ghazipur. Blocking of drains, ghat beautification, wetland development and strict action on plastic will give new life to the river.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken a historic step to make the Gomti River, which is the lifeline of Uttar Pradesh, clean, uninterrupted and pure. “Gomti is not just a river, but a symbol of our cultural consciousness and life stream,” the Chief Minister said. To realize this sentiment, he announced ‘Gomti Rejuvenation Mission’, which will symbolize the confluence of faith, environment and development.
Gomti Rejuvenation Mission: A wonderful confluence of faith, environment and science
In the meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, there was an in-depth discussion on the detailed action plan of the mission with the Gomti Task Force. The Chief Minister directed that “not a single drop of sewerage should go into Gomti.” Short term and long term strategies are being prepared for this.
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Three major objectives have been set under this mission:
- Sewage blockage and pollution reduction
- Restoration of coastal ecology
- Promote social and cultural revitalization of the river
Encroachments on river banks will be removed, infiltrators in illegal settlements will be identified
Issuing strict instructions, CM Yogi said that illegal settlements built on the banks of Gomti should be identified and action should be taken against the infiltrators. He clearly said that the cleanliness and safety of the river is the top priority of the government.
Preparation to divert drains and install new STP
It was told in the meeting that out of 39 drains falling into Gomti, 13 are still untreated. Presently 6 STPs are operational with a capacity of 605 MLD. The Chief Minister said that drains should be diverted to STP, new plants should be set up, and upgradation of old plants should be started soon. Also, Ekana and Sajan lakes will be developed as wetlands, while beautification and greenery campaign of ghats will accelerate the biological regeneration of Gomti.
The mission will be realized through unity and participation
The Chief Minister said that this will not be just a government initiative but a mass movement with public participation. Ex-servicemen, scientists, experts and various government departments will together accelerate this mission. Divisional Commissioner in Lucknow has been given the responsibility of nodal coordinator. The Gomti Task Force formed under the National Clean Ganga Mission includes senior officials of the government, Pollution Control Board, Jal Nigam, Municipal Corporation, and environmental experts. In this, Prof. of BBAU. (Dr.) Venkatesh Dutta and Lieutenant of Atulya Ganga Trust. Colonel Devendra Chaudhary (Retd) is also a key member.
Public awareness and yoga programs will give new momentum
More than 1,000 tonnes of water hyacinth has been cleaned so far by the task force and more than 70,000 people have been connected to the cleanliness of rivers. During the ‘Nadi Yoga Abhiyan’, more than 50,000 citizens came to the ghats every morning, did yoga, participated in public dialogues and cleanliness drives.
Strict action on plastic and no shortage of resources
Chief Minister Yogi directed that a complete ban on single-use plastic should be ensured, as it is the main reason for choking the sewer system. He said that the government will make complete arrangements of track boats, floating barriers, excavators and cleaning equipment so that both the water and the shore remain clean.
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