Lucknow: The diversion of water between Kudiya Ghat and Gomti Barrage for gate repairs has exposed stretches of the riverbed, presenting an opportunity for the restoration of the heavily polluted Gomti River. According to experts speaking to TOI, as water levels receded, thick deposits of black sludge, plastic waste, decayed organic matter, and invasive vegetation became visible, revealing years of untreated sewage and urban waste entering the river through drains.
Environmental Impact and Expert Opinions
Prof Venkatesh Dutta, head of the environmental science department at BBAU, explained: "For years, sewage and waste from drains settled on the riverbed as toxic sludge, reducing dissolved oxygen and blocking sunlight, which harms aquatic life." He added that removing sludge and invasive plants like water hyacinth could improve water quality and restore ecological balance. "The temporary stoppage of flow has created conditions for scientific desilting before normal flow resumes," he said.
Prof Dhruv Sen Singh, head of the geology department at Lucknow University, emphasized that restoring the exposed riverbed could improve groundwater recharge. "Compacted sludge reduces natural percolation. Cleaning the riverbed now can revive its role as a recharge channel," he noted. He recommended that the repair work should include desilting, drain interception, sewage treatment, and removal of invasive vegetation.
Authorities' Inaction and Response
Experts also flagged inaction by authorities. Prof Dutta mentioned that a meeting held in January by the divisional commissioner with officials from the irrigation department, Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC), and Jal Nigam decided to clean the riverbed during diversion, but no work has started. Officials acknowledged that the plan was discussed earlier.
Mukesh Kumar Vaish, executive engineer of the irrigation department, stated that LMC was asked to begin dredging after the flow was stopped, but work was yet to start. LMC officials, however, said they lacked the capacity for large-scale dredging. Engineer Manoj Prabhat explained that while floating waste and hyacinth would be removed, clearing sludge from the 8-km stretch required specialized machinery and large-scale disposal. "We don't have such capacity," he admitted. Officials of Jal Nigam declined to comment on the issue.
This exposure of the riverbed highlights the critical need for coordinated action to restore the Gomti River, which has been suffering from pollution for years. The temporary water diversion offers a rare window for effective cleanup and ecological revival.
