Why is Gomti River Front out of UP CM’s dream projects list ?

Sanjay Bhatnagar

Lucknow: The much-hyped about Gomti River Front project in Lucknow may be touted as project of the future for Uttar Pradesh but it does not figure in the list of top-priority projects of the Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

This project, the brain-child of PWD and Irrigation minister Shiv Pal Singh Yadav, has consciously been excluded from the list of ‘dream projects’ of Akhilesh being monitored and followed by the Chief Secretary-headed Project Monitoring Group (PMG). The PMG monitors 24 mega projects of the CM Akhilesh which included Lucknow Metro, Lucknow-Agra Expressway, IT city, Mughal Museum, Perfume Park, Cycle Track and lately the Lucknow-Ballia Expressway but surprisingly the River Front Project is kept out.

It was not before the CM had put on record a communique that the river project should ensure all pre-requisite clearances which even the department refuses to disclose despite repeated efforts of newztrack.com correspondent.

According to an official spokesman, “...yes, the project has been kept out of PMG but reason behind is best known to the Chief Minister.’’ It, however, has not been made clear if it was due to opacity in the project with regards to environmental sanctions, geographical, financial and geological issues or the presence of Shiv Pal Singh Yadav in the project.

Also Read Gomti River Front Development: where is transparency ?

Environmentalist oppose to it

• The construction of concrete walls on both sides of the bank along 12 kms could be detrimental to river ecology.

• In the long run, the river may fail to absorb water in its catchment area.

• It may lower the ground level of water in River Gomti, the lifeline of Lucknow.

• The fissures in the river-bed are plugged with cement which again could be the river ecology hazard.

• According to noted environmentalist C B Pandey, the indiscreet construction will harm the water flora and fauna in the times to come.

• River Gomti originates from Fullar Lake in Pooranpur tehsil of Lakhimpur Kheri district adjacent to Lucknow.

• Instead of working on the river from its origination point the government is beautifying it in Lucknow, C B Pandey asks.

• Gomti River has 22 tributaries while none of them can be called healthy.

National Green Tribunal

• NGT, in a similar matter, had banned any type of construction within 200 metres range of river Ganga in Uttarakhand in November last.

• While the court has also banned the construction in the same limit of area since 2001 so the question arises that how construction is being done on Gomti River in Lucknow?

• The NGT while hearing a case regarding construction of jogging track on a river in Pune, in 2014, had said that no construction could be done on the riverbed.

• The irrigation department in 1989 had also clarified in a circular that no construction can be done on flood line.

What is Gomti River Front Project?

• Beautification of Gomti River is being done from Pucca Pul to Saheed Path.

• The length of this project is 12 kms and at a cost of Rs 2800 crore.

• A parking for 300 cars is being made along the river.

• Colourful fountains, Amphitheatre, Open Market and others are also being constructed.

• Sand is being filled on both sides of the river bank.

• The project is backed by Japan and Malaysia.

• The permanent construction on the bridges on this 12 km long span is being illuminated with German lights.

• Irrigation department would link the Sharda Canal to upstream Gomti River.

• The Sharda Canal may release 750 cusec of water in case of emergency.

• The Irrigation department is also planning to deploy the boating service for people.