Proposed Expansion

KukrailForest

Cantt

Proposed Expansion

River Gomti

Existing City

Musabagh Forest

Gomtia casualty by custodians

a study by

Architect Planner

Ar.(Dr.) S.M.AkhtarPh.D., F.I.I.A., A.I.T.P., A.D.I.D., M.P.A., L.L.B.,

Vice PresidentLucknow First

Existing City

Proposed Expansion

KukrailForest

Cantt

Proposed Expansion

River Gomti

Existing City

Musabagh Forest

The Life Line of Lucknow

Existing City

KukrailForest

Cantt

Proposed Expansion

River Gomti

Existing City

Gomti believed as theonly virgin river

Existing City

KukrailForest

Cantt

Proposed Expansion

River Gomti

Existing City

Gomti you gave us Life

We Killed You

Number of cities have been victim of Industrialization

But, Gomti has been victim of Planner’s Blunders

Existing City

Proposed Expansion

KukrailForest

Cantt

Proposed Expansion

River Gomti

Existing City

Musabagh Forest

Right from the time Aishbagh Waterworks was commissioned (about 125years ago)

Water for Supply to City is lifted from Gomti at Gaughat

After a gap of 100 yearsSecond Waterworks at Balaganj got commissioned,

the Water Source for this new waterworks again remained Gaughat

Existing City

Proposed Expansion

KukrailForest

Cantt

Proposed Expansion

River Gomti

Aishbagh Water works

GaughatBalaganj Waterworks

While the Balaganj waterworks was being constructed,a study was taken up by using remote sensing technique, and it was found that the course of Gomti river is stable at Balaganj and there water quality too is good,

so it was recommended to lift the water for new waterworks from Balalganj.

But, at that time it was preferred to lift the water for the second Waterworks too from the Gaughat where the Nagaria Nala is inter-mingling with the Suction Canal of the Gaughat Pumping station.

Sense failed to prevail.Highly Contaminated water supply for citizen from second waterworkstoo got ensured.

Though the pumping of water from Gaughat to Balaganj Waterworks is to be done against the naturalgradient.

To add more sewage inputs atGaughat, cattle from city too have been shifted there.

Now the suction canal of Gaughat,the only pumping station for the citygets direct sewage discharge from Nalas specially Nagaria Nalaas well from cattle discharge from Cattle Colony too.

About three fourth of a century ago,A Waterware was built across the river at Paper Millfor weekly flushing of the River. So that Mosquitoes may not breed over the river bed.

This Waterware maintained the water level high during dry seasons,which was found as an asset for lifting the Water for Supply.

about a quarter century ago, during a flood this Waterweir was found in danger due to drifting river course.

The need to maintain water level of the river, prompted the decision to build a Barrage

Bhainsakund the cremation ground was selected as the Site for a new

Barrage

Existing City

Proposed Expansion

KukrailForest

Cantt

Proposed Expansion

River Gomti

Existing City

Musabagh Forest

Barrage

BhainsakundCremation Ground

True to its location,Barrage converted Gomti the Cherisher of Lifeinto a Dispenser of Death

In between Gaughat and Barrage there are 10 culverts on cis-Gomti sideand another 12 culverts on trans-Gomti sideDirectly discharging in the river

Existing City

Proposed Expansion

KukrailForest

Cantt

Proposed Expansion

River Gomti

Existing City

Musabagh Forest

Culverts Dischargingin Gomti

Barrage

It is estimated that 304 mld discharge is generated, out of this,

200 mld is discharged within the barrage in the river Gomti

132 mld On the Cis-Gomti side & 68 mld on trans-Gomti side

Consequently Water retained by Barragefor Supply to city

gets

Highly Contaminatedand unfit for consumption

Existing City

KukrailForest

Cantt

River Gomti

Existing City

Musabagh Forest

Sewage dischargedby culvertsstagnate in Gomti

Barrage

To further add pollution in the River the Sludge farm has been abandoned,

where the sewage was treated and disposed,

Instead it has been opted to discharge untreated Sewage in the River

This is a very unique situation wherea whole metro having population over 25 lakhs

Discharged refused drain enriched with untreated sewage is supplied to citizens for theirdaily consumption

The Blessing

Gaziuddin Haider Canal is a blessing in disguise from Nawabs,

whereas Kukrail was a blessing from nature for this city's renal system.

Gaziuddin Haider Canal and Kukrail, both working as major drains, used to discharge down stream in the river after Barrage crossing the whole city.

Existing City

KukrailForest

Cantt

Proposed Expansion

River Gomti

Existing City Barrage

Kukrail

Kukrail Discharging2 km down the Barrage

Gaziuddin Haider CanalDischarging after Barrage

Consequently, the Gomti was to cope up only with the 140 mld discharge instead of 304 mld. And it was desired to carry rest of the Nalas parallel to the river and discharge them after crossing the Barrage.

But this was not liked by the Planners,to ensure higher level of contamination in the water retained by barrage for supply to city,

they preferred 200 mld discharge within the Barrage, instead of 140 mld.

The Kukrail culvert having the catchment area of the fastest developing Kursi Road & Faizabad Roadmust be contributing over 60 mld,

which is set to multiply at much faster pace than share of any other culvert.

Existing City

KukrailForest

Cantt

Proposed Expansion

River Gomti

Existing City Barrage

KukrailCatchment Area of Kukrail

But, to mutilate this gift of Nature

the Planners have divertedKukrail to discharge upstream about a km ahead of Barrage.

Existing City

KukrailForest

Cantt

Proposed Expansion

River Gomti

Existing City

Kukrail Diverted to Discharge ahead of BarrageBarrage

Land Grabed by Diversion

This diversion is not an act of simple Land Grab

But a

Crime committed against Humanityhaving cascading impacts on thegenerations to come.

No Punishment could be enough

for people responsible for this Criminal Act

Most of the Rivers have been victim of Industrialization

But, industrialization sparedGomti

all through

Gomti has been a victim of Planner's Blunders

From the time ahead of Construction of Barrage and Diversion of Kukrail

Sensible People have been pondering over the idea of carrying all the Culverts parallel to river and discharge them after crossing the city.

But till date this idea remained a mirage, with feasibility diminishing with every passing day.

Today it seems a utopia.

From last one decade people are pinning their hope on the Gomti Action Plan.

though lot of people have beendisillusioned due to inaction.

The Strategy to Treat the sewage with the help of Sewage Treatment Plants (STP).Before discharge in the river is being pushed with much thrust.

As there are about 22 culverts discharging 200 mld sewagein the river within the Barrage.

It is being planned to do grouping of culverts, to reduced the number of ETP from 22 to about six or so.

Under the plan number of STP will be located within the city.

These location will mostlybe along the river banks,at times in the high density Residential Areas.

Though it is a taboo to question the high-tech strategies in vogue.

But, when it is matter of 30 lakh human life and generations to come,

a few basic question related to effectiveness and feasibility of this strategy can not be gagged.

But, how far it will be realisticin the prevailing local conditions ?

What will be its holistic impact ?

Feasibility and Cost effective ?and many more questionare to be answered

As far the fundamental concept of STP goes, the sewage will be withhold at a place for a set time period,

where it will go through the process of disintegration, But definitely there it will not do any vanishing act.

What ever technologywill be adopted, definitely there will be residual matter in the form of - Solid Deposits - Fluid and - Gases.

Now the first question isfrom where the land required within the city for the STP’s will come?

As today, 304mld sewage will have to be treated..

Second question, while the sewage will be withhold in the STP for the process,

will it not be adding toAir Pollution and Foul Smell in that whole area?

Third question, where and how the residual solid and fluid will be disposed,

What will be recurring operative disposal cost and from where it will come.

If the residual fluid will be again discharged in the River, then what is the point in putting up STP.

If the residual will be canalized to discharge beyond the city limits,then from where the space (right of way) for laying trunk sewer for canalizing residual will come.

There is no space left in the city to carry trunk sewer parallel to river.

If it is feasible, then first lay such trunk sewer to canalize the residual fluid, then put the STP.

If these STPs will be dependenton Electricity, from where its availability and affordability can be relied upon.

Moreover, the success of Electricity base ETP is already under question mark.

If the ETP’s will be relying on the Oxidation pond, which is the most successful technique,

then lot of land will be needed, which is not available even on the peripheries of the cities.

(about 5000 to 7000 hectare land will be needed to treat 300mld sewage.)

The process of installing STPs will be time taking, expensive as well not adequately reliable for ensuring clean water fit forconsumption.

Even after treatment the quality of water may not improve upto level of making it fit for consumption

In this situation, to improve the water quality for consumption a quicker, more reliable affordable, cost effective strategy is needed.

Though the work may go on STPs for general improvement in the water quality the river.

In these circumstances the most successful strategy for ensuring the water supply fit for human consumption will be to abandon the Barrage of Bhainsakund and let the river flow unobstructed.

The Alternative

Existing City

Proposed Expansion

KukrailForest

Cantt

Proposed Expansion

River Gomti

Existing City

Musabagh Forest

Barrage

Blow this Barrage

And for liftingwater for supply,

make a new barrage upstreamat Balaganj behind Moosabagh forest.

There much clean water for human consumption is available

Existing City

Proposed Expansion

KukrailForest

Cantt

Proposed Expansion

River Gomti

Existing City

Musabagh Forest

Build a Barrage here

I apologies if any one’s feeling are hurt by this presentation

Thankyou

Let us do it Act Now

A presentation by

Architect Planner

Dr.S.M.Akhtar58, Hazratganj Lucknow-226001Telefax 0522 211454, E mail <smakhtar@sancharnet.in>