GOMTI RIVERFRONT MAKEOVER TO BE THROUGH BY OCT
LUCKNOW: A Singapore like serene riverfront, lightwater sound show a la Las Vegas, a 14 km-long Goa like cruise and a stadium full of activities—all this and more are coming up on the Gomti riverfront, the metamorphosis of which is likely to be completed by October this year. The sludge and waste dumped around the river stream will pave way for greenery, pedestrian path, bicycle track, yoga pavilion, kids play area and wetland where denizens, who have maintained a distance from the river due to lack of public amenities, could rejuvenate. “The massive makeover, on the lines of riverfronts in Singapore and Malaysia, is likely to be completed in record time,” claimed Deepak Singhal, principal secretary, irrigation, while talking to Hindustan Times.
While Singapore and Malaysia projects took over a decade to be completed, Gomti river development project is likely to be completed within 16 months
DEEPAK SINGHAL, principal secretary, irrigation
A Singapore like serene riverfront, light-water sound show a la Las Vegas, a 14 km-long Goa like cruise and a stadium full of activities—all this and more are coming up on the Gomti riverfront, the metamorphosis of which is likely to be completed by October this year.
The sludge and waste dumped around the river stream will pave way for greenery, pedestrian path, bicycle track, yoga pavilion, kids play area and wetland where denizens, who have maintained a distance from the river due to lack of public amenities, could rejuvenate.
“The massive makeover, on the lines of riverfronts in Singapore and Malaysia, is likely to be completed in record time,” claimed Deepak Singhal, principal secretary, irrigation, while talking to HT.
“While Singapore and Malaysia projects took over a decade to be completed, Gomti river development project is likely to be completed within 16 months,” said Singhal. The project was conceived in March 2015 and the work began in June, 2015. Thirtyseven drains that released effluents directly in the river have been channelised and connected with a sewage treatment plant (STP),” he said.
The riverfront will have a green belt spread over 33 acre area on the both sides of the bank. The irrigation department has planned to plant 33 varieties of 4,000 saplings. Majority of sapling will be transported from Krishna- Godavari basin area in Andhra Pradesh.
A grand lake opposite La Martiniere School will be a unique feature of the project where the visitors can see the reflection of the building on lake water.
The riverfront will be spread over 14 km stretch of Gomti in the city area (from Kudiya ghat to Shaheed Path) but the construction work is being done in over 8 km area.
To promote sports activities, the irrigation department has planned to construct multi-purpose stadium downstream.
A light-water sound show like the one organised at Baelagia in Las Vegas (USA) will be organised in the Gomti basin area as well.
Senior engineer in irrigation department, Roop Singh Yadav said, “To maintain water level round the year the department has planned to divert 200 cusec water from Sharda canal and 300 cusec water will be released from Sharda Sahayak canal into the Gomti.
To protect the river front area from flood a rubber dam is being constructed opposite La Martiniere building,” he said.
People can also cruise service from Kudiya ghat to the new ghat coming up near La Marterniere building.
Abhishek Malhotra, associate director of AECOM, which has been entrusted with the task to do landscaping and other work in the riverfront area said, “Care has been taken to preserve the flora and fauna of the river. High diaphragm wall has been erected to maintain its natural course. To connect both the banks pedestrian bridge will be constructed at various points. The project also includes amphitheatre, gymnasium, tennis court, basketball and volley ball court. To attract tourists, facilities will be made for the organisation of food festivals, handicraft market, cultural events and musical nights. The riverfront area will be illuminated and high mast lights will be installed across the river.