WillisHeiman326 at 08:19, 7 April 2026

2026-04-07T08:19:41Z

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{{Short description|River in India}}
{{redirect|Gomati River|the river in north-west India|Gomati River (Rajasthan)|the river in north-east India and Bangladesh|Gumti River (Tripura)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Gomti River
| native_name =
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| name_other = Gumti River
| name_etymology =

| image = Gomti at Lucknow.jpg
| image_size =
| image_caption = Gomti River at [[Lucknow]]
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| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[India]]
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| length_km = 960
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| discharge1_location= [[Varanasi|Kaithi]], Varanasi [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|234|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_max =

| source1 = [[Phulhar Lake|Gomat Taal]], [[Madhotanda|MadhoTanda]], [[Pilibhit]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| source1_location = Middle Ganga Plain
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|25|36|44|N|80|6|59.28|E|display=inline}}
| source1_elevation = {{convert|200|m|abbr=on}}
| mouth =
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| tributaries_right = [[Sai River (Uttar Pradesh)|Sai]]
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}}
The '''Gomti''', '''Gumti''' or '''Gomati''' River is a river flowing entirely within the Indian state of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. It is a [[tributary]] of the [[Ganges]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Key Facts about Gomti River |url=https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/key-facts-about-gomti-river/ |access-date=2025-08-15 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

The river, fed by monsoons and groundwater, begins its journey at the [[Gomat Taal]],{{Clarify|reason=Given that it's a red link, there needs to be some explanation of what that location is|date=April 2026}} near [[Madhotanda]], in [[Pilibhit]] district. It then reaches a confluence with the smaller Gaihaaee {{convert|20|km|mi}} from its origin. The Gomti is a narrow [[stream]] until it reaches Mohammadi Kheri, a [[tehsil]] of [[Lakhimpur Kheri district]] (about {{convert|68|km|mi}}from its origin), where it is joined by a number of [[Tributary|tributaries]], notably the Sukheta, Choha and Andhra Choha. By that point, the river is well-defined, with the Kathina tributary joining it at [[Mailani]] and [[Sarayan river|Sarayan]] joining it at a village{{Which|date=April 2026}} in [[Sitapur district]]. A major tributary is the [[Sai River (Uttar Pradesh)|Sai River]], which joins the Gomti near [[Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh|Jaunpur]].{{Where|date=April 2026}} The Markandey Mahadeo temple lies at the [[confluence]] of the Gomti and the Ganges.

After flowing for {{convert|190|km|mi}} the Gomti enters [[Lucknow]], meandering through the city for about {{convert|30|km|mi|0}} and supplying its water. In the Lucknow area, 25 city drains pour untreated sewage into the river. At the downstream end, the Gomti [[Barrage (dam)|barrage]] converts the river into a lake.

[[File:Jaunpurbridge.jpg|thumb|275px|[[Mughal Empire|Mughal]]-era [[Shahi Bridge]] across Gomti in [[Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh|Jaunpur]]]]

In addition to Lucknow, [[Gola Gokaran Nath]], [[Misrikh]], Neemsar, [[Lakhimpur Kheri]], [[Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh|Sultanpur]] [[Kerakat]] and [[Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh|Jaunpur]], [[Zafarabad, India|Zafarabad]] are the most prominent of the 20 towns in the river's [[Drainage basin|catchment basin]]. The river cuts the [[Sultanpur district]] and [[Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh|Jaunpur]] in half, becoming wider in the city.

== Hindu belief ==
According to Hindu belief, the Gomti is the daughter of [[Rishi]] [[Vashistha|Vashishtha]]. Bathing in the river on [[Ekadashi]] (the 11th day of the two [[lunar phase]]s of the [[Hindu calendar]] month) is thought to wash away sins.{{Citation needed|date=April 2026|reason=Previous source was incorrectly linked, and did not appear to be a [[WP:RS|reliable source]]. Information should otherwise be removed if a replacement reference can't be found}} According to the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]],'' one of Hinduism's major religious works, Gomti is one of the five transcendental rivers of India.<ref>{{cite web |date=2010-01-04 |title=Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 5.19.17-18 |url=http://srimadbhagavatam.com/sb/5/19/17-18/en1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229140620/http://srimadbhagavatam.com/sb/5/19/17-18/en1 |archive-date=2012-02-29 |access-date=2010-01-04}}</ref> The rare [[Gomti Chakra]] is found there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Magic SEA Underground: Magical Uses Of Gomti Chakra (Cat's Eye Shell) |url=http://liewsp1-magicsea.blogspot.in/2013/06/magical-uses-of-gomti-chakra-cats-eye.html |access-date=2015-11-07 |website=liewsp1-magicsea.blogspot.in}}</ref>

==<span class="anchor" id="Pollution and degradation"></span>Pollution==
[[File:Gomati River.JPG|thumb|300px|center|alt=The Gomti and its floodplain, winding through an undeveloped area|The Gomti in [[Sitapur district]]]]
The Gomti River is polluted at several points of its course through the {{convert|940|km|mi|adj=on}} stretch of [[alluvial plain]]s in [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite news | url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Aiming-for-a-scrubbed-clean-look/articleshow/7376022.cms | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121104130230/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-28/lucknow/28356526_1_river-water-aquatic-life-raw-water | url-status = live | archive-date = 2012-11-04 | title = Aiming for a scrubbed clean look | date = 2010-01-28| work = [[The Times of India]] | access-date= 2010-01-28 }}</ref> The major sources of pollution are industrial waste and [[effluent]] from sugar factories and distilleries and residential wastewater and sewage.

The river and its tributaries, particularly the Kukrail Drainage,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ballotboxindia.com/ap/kukrail-nala-lucknow/5182050549/|title=Kukrail Nala Lucknow a Major tributary of river Gomti - Research and analysis|date=2016-07-12|newspaper=Kukrail Nala Lucknow a Major tributary of river Gomti - Research and analysis|access-date=2017-01-06}}</ref> collect large amounts of human and industrial pollutants as they flow through an area comprising about 18 million people. High pollution levels threaten the Gomti's aquatic life. On 25 July 2008, the [[Cornerstone|foundation stone]] of a {{convert|345|e6litre|USgal|adj=on}}-capacity [[sewage treatment]] plant was laid.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.oneindia.com/2008/07/25/foundation-laid-for-countrys-largest-stp-to-clean-gomti-in-up-1216972984.html | title = Foundation laid for country's largest STP to clean Gomti in UP | date = 2008-07-25 | access-date = 2008-12-21 | archive-date = 14 April 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120414234845/http://www.robotstxt.org/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

The plant, promoted as Asia's largest, failed; in 2014 it was reportedly running at 10 percent of capacity,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/asias-biggest-sewage-treatment-plant-running-at-10-pc-capacity/|title=Asia's biggest sewage treatment plant running at 10 pc capacity|date=2014-12-03|newspaper=The Indian Express|access-date=2017-01-05}}</ref> and beyond the plant (near Bharwara) untreated sewage and solid waste entered the river. The plant was intended to intercept the 23 major natural drains entering the Gomti.

=={{anchor|Gomti riverfront development and related controversy|Controversy with current riverfront development.|The importance of this project|Current status of the controversy and the project.}}Riverfront development controversy==
[[File:Gomti River Water stopped for riverfront construction..jpg|alt=Gomti riverfront; water stopped for construction|thumb|Temporary dam stopping the Gomti River for construction on the riverbed]]
[[File:Gomti Riverfront - Heavy Machinery right over riverbed, flood plain..jpg|alt=Gomti riverfront; heavy machinery over the riverbed|thumb|Gomti riverfront, with heavy machinery over the riverbed and floodplain]]
[[File:Gomti riverfront- Reclaimed riverbed and flood plain.jpg|alt=Gomti riverfront construction - riverbed and floodplain|thumb|Gomti riverfront reclaimed riverbed and floodplain]]
The Gomti has been stressed, particularly in and around Lucknow, for decades. There are three major reasons for this:<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://ballotboxindia.com/ap/gomti-river-riverfront-lucknow/5182018549/|title=Gomti River and Riverfront Lucknow - Analysis on Restoration and Development|date=2016-02-10|newspaper=Gomti River and Riverfront Lucknow - Analysis on Restoration and Development|access-date=2017-01-05}}</ref>
# Embankments - High embankments were built around the river to protect the population of Lucknow after a major flood during 1970s, altering the Gomti's natural [[floodplain]].
# Pollution - The Gomti has 40 natural drains, of which 23 are major. The drains, which carried surplus water into the river during the monsoon and recharged the underground water table, were reduced to carry residential and industrial sewage into the river.
# Development - The river's floodplains and fertile land were covered with residential areas, such as Gomti Nagar and Triveni Nagar. The Gomti began receding during the late 1970s, and was under major stress in 2016.<ref name=":0" />

Although government agencies planned major projects, such as the Bharwara sewage treatment plant and mechanical dredging, most were unsuccessful.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/River-linking-urgent-as-Gomti-gasps-for-water/articleshow/43836247.cms|title=River linking urgent as Gomti gasps for water - Times of India|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=2017-01-05}}</ref> The Gomti rises by 10–12 meters during the monsoon, and in 2008 a major flood was reported.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-flood-waters-enter-parts-of-lucknow-1185886|title=Flood waters enter parts of Lucknow {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=2008-08-26|newspaper=dna|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-05}}</ref>

Around 2012, the newly-elected government and the Lucknow Development Authority began a feasibility study with the [[Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee]] to build a river-front similar to [[Sabarmati Riverfront]] in Ahmedabad. The LDA submitted the report, warning about the negative consequences of reducing the Gomti to less than 250 meters wide. At 250 meters wide (with walls on both sides), the river's velocity would increase by 20 percent and its bed-[[shear stress]] by 30 percent. Current embankments would have to be raised by 1.5 meters, and the high flood level (HFL) would increase by 1.25 meters. Two bridges would be threatened with collapse under flood conditions.<ref name=":0" />
The plan was given to the irrigation department, which signed a memorandum of understanding with IIT Roorkee in December 2015 to conduct a similar study on the project.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ballotboxindia.com/es/Contacting-IIT-Roorkee-for-relevant-information/5181159616549/|title=Contacting IIT Roorkee for relevant information|website=Contacting IIT Roorkee for relevant information|access-date=2017-01-05}}</ref>

The riverfront-development project is seen as a political showdown<ref name=":0" /> between the state government and the ruling party, whose similar construction in Ahmedabad over the [[Sabarmati River]] has been projected as a showcase of development in the state of [[Gujarat]]. Many noted environmentalists and river-system experts vehemently opposed<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sandrp.wordpress.com/2014/09/17/riverfront-development-in-india-cosmetic-make-up-on-deep-wounds/|title=Riverfront Development in India: Cosmetic make up on deep wounds|last=Sandrp|date=2014-09-17|website=SANDRP|access-date=2017-01-06}}</ref> that project as well.
Both projects are seen as a template for similar interference with river systems across India, including the [[Yamuna]], the [[Hindon River|Hindon]] and the [[Varuna River|Varuna]].<ref name=":0" />

==Flooding==
Monsoon flooding leads to several problems when the water recedes, including the danger posed by drying potholes and pits (which host disease causing mosquitoes such as [[malaria]] and [[dengue]]).

==See also==
* [[List of rivers of India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

=={{anchor|Notes}}External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.urday.com/gandak.htm Sacred Rivers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223120442/http://www.urday.com/gandak.htm |date=23 December 2019 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060301144149/http://www.waterconserve.info/articles/reader.asp?linkid=25146 "Sewage kills thousands of fish in north Indian river". Babu Lal Sharma, Associated Press, 22 August 2003]
*[http://wikimapia.org/1107194/Markandey-mahadeo-mandir-kaithi Markandey Mahadeo on Wikimapia]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=M6cdhzmAw7QC&dq=sukheta+river+gomti&pg=PA65 Reference to Gomti River System]

{{Hydrography of Uttar Pradesh}}

{{coord|25|30|29|N|83|10|11|E|type:waterbody_region:IN_dim:25km|display=title}}

[[Category:Lucknow district]]
[[Category:Rivers of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Sacred rivers]]
[[Category:Sea and river goddesses]]
[[Category:Tributaries of the Ganges]]
[[Category:Rivers in Buddhism]]
[[Category:Geography of Lakhimpur Kheri district]]

Gomti River - Revision history

WillisHeiman326 at 08:19, 7 April 2026