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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken a big step towards transforming the banks of the Kukrail River in Lucknow into a picturesque and modern riverfront. This ambitious project aims to create a beautiful space similar to the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad. The efforts follow the revival of the Kukrail River, which had faced significant challenges over the past few decades.
The Kukrail River, once a tributary of the Gomti River, had turned into a mere drain due to encroachments and illegal structures over the past 40 years. These structures had not only choked the river but also posed serious environmental challenges to the city of Lucknow.
Revival Efforts
To restore the river, the government initiated a strong fight, even taking the matter to the Supreme Court. So far, they have removed an impressive 8,000 illegal structures from the riverbed. People who needed rehabilitation have been resettled, and those who deserved punishment have faced the consequences. Remarkably, after removing these structures, new streams of water have started flowing in the Kukrail River, showing the positive impact of these efforts.
Ecotourism and Awareness
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasized the importance of ecotourism as part of the river's revival. The Ecotourism Development Board, which aims to both entertain and educate people about environmental issues, has unveiled its logo, signaling its commitment to sustainable practices. This initiative not only focuses on the beauty of the riverfront but also on raising awareness about the importance of environmental conservation.
Spiritual Tourism and Potential
Yogi Adityanath highlighted that Uttar Pradesh has great potential for spiritual tourism. Famous sites like Naimisharanya, Chitrakoot, Sarnath, and Kushinagar attract millions of tourists each year. He believes that this rich spiritual heritage can also support robust ecotourism development, combining the state's cultural and natural attractions.
Development Plans
The development of the Kukrail riverfront will be managed by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation. They have prepared a draft for creating a special purpose vehicle (SPV) named Lucknow Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd. A dedicated committee has already conducted a site inspection and tour of the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad to gather insights for this project.
Officials announced that a consultant is currently preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the riverfront development, which will soon be presented to the Chief Minister. Following his instructions, departments have been tasked with making the Kukrail River clean and pollution-free. The goal is to stop dirty drains from flowing into the river, beautify the riverbanks, develop the site, and create a green belt.
Steps to Clean the Kukrail River
To make the Kukrail River pollution-free, the Chief Minister has instructed the interception of 39 drains that flow into the river. In the first phase, work on tapping 17 drains is 95% complete. The interception of 12 drains is ongoing and will be finished by the end of this month. In the second phase, 22 more drains will be tapped to prevent 6 million liters per day (MLD) of untreated sewage from entering the Kukrail River.
In the third phase, to maintain a minimum water flow, a 40 MLD capacity Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) will be built to release treated effluent upstream into the river. This STP will be constructed on a 1.50-hectare plot in Akbarnagar, after demolishing illegal constructions on municipal land.
The revival of the Kukrail River is a positive step towards environmental conservation and sustainable growth. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision for a beautiful and modern riverfront in Lucknow promises to enhance the city's environment, promote ecotourism, and improve the quality of life for its residents. With these efforts, Lucknow is set to have a vibrant and clean riverfront that will be a source of pride and joy for everyone.
