Gomti Rejuvenation Mission for River Revival

Initiative Overview

Gomti Rejuvenation Mission for River Revival: The Uttar Pradesh Government launched the Gomti Rejuvenation Mission in October 2025 to restore the ecological health of the Gomti River, which flows through major cities like Lucknow and Sultanpur. The mission aims to intercept 95% of urban sewage entering the river and revive its natural flow.

Static GK fact: The Gomti River is a tributary of the Ganga, originating near Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh and covering nearly 960 km before joining the Ganga at Ghazipur.

Key Objectives

The mission’s central objective is to ensure that the Gomti remains clean, uninterrupted, and pollution-free. Authorities plan to intercept almost all sewage from urban drains, thereby improving water quality and maintaining ecological balance. The focus is on both pollution reduction and habitat restoration along the river’s course.

Static GK tip: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) functions under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, which oversees river rejuvenation projects across India.

Expanding Sewage Treatment Infrastructure

Currently, six Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are functional along the Gomti, collectively handling 605 million litres per day (MLD). The mission proposes building new STPs and modernizing the existing ones. Additionally, new drainage networks will redirect untreated waste into these plants to prevent direct discharge into the river.

Such infrastructure expansion is crucial for achieving the 95% sewage interception target, which forms the technical backbone of the project.

Controlling Pollution Sources

The mission identifies 39 major drains that release wastewater into the Gomti. Out of these, 13 drains still carry untreated sewage. These will be prioritized for interception and treatment. Measures also include removing illegal encroachments that obstruct water flow and reclaiming riverbanks to restore the natural width of the river.

These steps are expected to reduce organic pollution, enhance oxygen levels, and ensure smoother hydrological movement.

Ecological Restoration and Beautification

As part of ecosystem revival, new wetlands such as Ekana Wetland and Sajan Lake in Lucknow are being developed. These natural reserves will improve biodiversity, promote groundwater recharge, and act as carbon sinks. Efforts also include plantation drives, ghat beautification, and green belt development along the banks.

Such ecological measures will improve the aesthetic appeal of the Gomti while promoting urban eco-tourism.

Governance and Monitoring Mechanism

A dedicated Gomti Task Force has been formed under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to oversee the implementation. The task force includes experts, departmental officers, and environmental specialists. Monthly reviews and quarterly reports ensure transparency and accountability. The Chief Minister’s Office directly monitors progress to ensure timely execution.

Static GK fact: Similar river rejuvenation initiatives, such as the Namami Gange Programme, were launched in 2014 to clean and protect the Ganga and its tributaries.

Funding and Equipment Support

The state government has committed adequate financial resources to the mission. Specialized equipment such as track boats, floating barriers, and excavators will be deployed for removing debris and waste. These modern tools are essential for maintaining consistent cleaning and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the river restoration process.

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Gomti Rejuvenation Mission for River Revival: