Yogi Govt unveils comprehensive plan to free Gomti from sewage pollution, 45 drains to be linked with STPs
Preparations to stop sewage in Gomti, plan for 160, 150 and 65 MLD flow diversion
Picture of Gomti will change with Namami Gange scheme, sewage will be taken to STP by tapping drains
Master plan prepared to stop pollution in Gomti, PFR sent to NMCG
Modular STP in Pipraghat-Ghaila, Bharwara and Daulatganj plants will also be upgraded
Lucknow, August 13: The Yogi government has prepared a comprehensive action plan under ‘Namami Gange’ program to free Gomti river from sewage pollution in Lucknow. To prevent the city’s sewage from directly flowing into the Gomti River, work is underway to tap drains, divert flow, increase STP capacity, and establish new sewage treatment plants. Drone surveys have identified 45 drains that discharge into the Gomti River. A plan is now underway to connect these drains to various STPs to ensure the treatment of sewage flowing into the river.
Lucknow’s estimated population in 2026 is approximately 45.56 lakh. The city has a total 110 wards and approximately 7.52 lakh households. Of these, approximately 4.01 lakh, or 53.32%, are connected to the sewerage network. Therefore, expanding the sewerage network and preventing polluted water from drains flowing into the Gomti River poses a major challenge for river conservation.
According to data, Lucknow generates approximately 546.77 MLD of domestic sewage (filth and wastewater) relative to its population, while the actual discharge is approximately 880.70 MLD (million liters per day). Of this, 690.33 MLD flows through drains and 190.71 MLD through the sewer network.
Joginder Singh, Executive Director of the State Drinking Water and Sanitation Mission, stated that cleaning rivers is a priority. The department has identified new drains that will soon be treated. This will transform the Gomti River, which flows through a large part of the city.
A total of 10 sewage treatment plants (STPs) have been installed to treat the sewage generated in the city. Their total treatment capacity is approximately 629.5 MLD. According to available data, there is a gap between the actual discharge and the current treatment capacity. In such a situation, it is necessary to stop the sewage from reaching Gomti directly and to use the treatment capacity effectively.
Gomti river flows for a length of about 30 kilometers in Lucknow. In the records of the Municipal Corporation, there was mention of 33 drains falling into Gomti. After the drone survey, 12 new drains were identified. In this way, details of total 45 drains falling into Gomti have come to light. Out of 45 drains, about 75 MLD discharge has been tapped from 12. Tapping was not found to be required in five drains. The discharge of the remaining 28 drains (untapped and partially tapped) is about 260 MLD.
Under the Namami Gange program, the construction of the 39 MLD STP was completed on November 4, 2024. Subsequently, the STP’s maintenance and operation work has been ongoing since November 5, 2024. Additionally, a plan is underway to tap an untapped drain and treat it at the 3.5 MLD Barikalan STP. This project is targeted for completion by October 2026.
Similarly, a plan is underway to treat two untapped drains and one partially tapped drain by connecting them to the 50 MLD Loniyapurwa STP. This project is targeted for completion by June 2027.
The Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) prepared for the Gomti River’s revival proposes connecting drains to different STPs for sewage treatment. Under this plan, work is underway to tap the remaining 28 drains (untapped and partially tapped), including the construction of STPs at 160 MLD Basant Kunj, 65 MLD Wazirganj, 150 MLD Jiyamau, and 65 MLD Neelmatha, and treatment using nature-based technology on the Mastemau drain, and modular STPs with 750 KLD capacity at Pipraghat and 100 KLD capacity at Ghaila. The plan also includes the upgrade of the Bharwara STP and necessary repairs to 19 connected drains, and the upgrade of the Daulatganj STP and necessary repairs to two connected drains.
A state government spokesperson stated that the report on this action plan for the integrated restoration of the Gomti River has been submitted to the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), New Delhi, on May 6, 2026. After the proposed works are implemented, work will move forward to tap overflowing and untapped drains.
