The Gomti River: A Unique Waterway Confined to Uttar Pradesh
India boasts numerous famous rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra, most of which traverse multiple states before merging into larger river systems. However, there exists a major river in India that lies entirely within the boundaries of a single state. The Gomti River is a significant tributary of the Ganga River and remains completely within the state of Uttar Pradesh, flowing its entire length of 940 kilometers before finally merging into the Ganges near the Varanasi district.
Origin and Journey of the Gomti River
The river originates from Gomat Taal, near Madhotanda in the Pilibhit district. Beginning as a narrow stream, it gradually gathers volume as it moves south and west, fed primarily by monsoon rainfall and groundwater sources. Approximately 20 kilometers from its origin, it meets a small tributary called the Gaihaaee. As it flows further, tributaries such as the Sukheta, Choha, and Andhra Choha strengthen its channel near Lakhimpur Kheri. Later, the Kathina and Sarayan rivers join it before it continues toward central Uttar Pradesh. One of its most significant tributaries, the Sai River, merges with the Gomti near Jaunpur.
Passage Through Lucknow and Urban Impact
After traveling nearly 190 kilometers, the Gomti enters Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. The expansion of the city has significantly affected the river. In Lucknow alone, there are over 20 major drains that pour untreated sewage into the Gomti River. At the end of the city, a barrage converts a part of the river into a lake-like stretch. Further downstream, the river passes towns such as Gola Gokaran Nath, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sultanpur, Kerakat, Zafarabad, and Jaunpur. The Mughal-era Shahi Bridge still stands across the Gomti in Jaunpur, reflecting the river's long-standing historical importance.
Religious and Cultural Significance
According to Hindu belief, the Gomti is considered the daughter of sage Vashishtha. Bathing in the river on Ekadashi (the 11th day of the lunar fortnight) is believed to cleanse sins. The river is also mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana as one of the sacred rivers of India. A rare fossilized shell stone known as the Gomti Chakra is found along its banks and holds religious value in Hindu households.
Pollution and Environmental Stress
The Gomti River, a river of profound importance, is grappling with severe environmental issues. A major source of worry is the pollution stemming from sugar factories, distilleries, and the influx of domestic sewage. Further, other contributory factors include the Kukrail drainage system, which pours waste into the Gomti. The Gomti River basin is home to approximately 18 million people, further straining the river's water quality and aquatic life. The high levels of pollution have resulted in a decrease in biodiversity and water quality. Despite sewage treatment plants, such as the one at Bharwara, being intended to resolve the problem, they have largely failed to mitigate the pollution effectively.
Controversy Over Riverfront Development
Recently, the Gomti Riverfront Development Project in Lucknow has been at the center of controversy. The plan, inspired by the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, aimed to develop the Gomti Riverfront through the construction of embankments and environmental development. However, apprehensions expressed by experts, as well as research studies conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, have shown that decreasing the width of the river would increase the speed of the water and result in floods. Moreover, environmental activists have expressed concerns that altering the natural floodplain would further deteriorate the environment. The Gomti is known to rise by 10–12 meters during heavy monsoon seasons. Flooding has historically reshaped its course and affected settlements along its banks. Unlike many major Indian rivers that cross state boundaries, the Gomti remains entirely within Uttar Pradesh, geographically, culturally, and politically.
