Gomti River

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Shahi Bridge over the Gomti River in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh

The Gomti, Gumti or Gomati River (Hindi: गोमती Gomtī) is a tributary of the Ganges River. According to Hindu mythology the river is the daughter of Sage Vashistha, and bathing in the waters of the Gomati on Ekadashi (the eleventh day of the Sanatana Dharma-Hindu calendar) can wash away one's sins.

The Gomti originates near Madho Tada, Pilibhit, India. It extends 900 km (560 miles) through Uttar Pradesh and meets the Ganges River near Saidpur.

The river is a thin stream until it reaches Mohamadi (about 100 km from its origin) where it is joined by a prominent tributary called the Sarayan River. From here the river is well defined. Another major tributary is the Sai River, which joins near Jaunpur.

After 240 km the Gomti enters Lucknow, through which it meanders for about 12 km. At the entrance point water is lifted from the river for the city's water supply. 25 city drains in the Lucknow area drain into the Gomti. At the downstream end the Gomti barrage impounds the river converting it into a lake.

The cities of Lucknow, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sultanpur and Jaunpur are located on the banks of the Gomti and are the most prominent of the 15 towns located in its catchment area.

[edit] Pollution and Degradation

The major sources of pollution in the Gomti are:

Industrial waste and effluent from sugar factories and distillaries.
Domestic waste water and sewage from habitations.

The river collects large amounts of human and industrial pollutants as it flows through the highly populous areas (18 million approx) of Uttar Pradesh. High pollution levels in the river have negative effects on the ecosystem of the Gomti, threatening its aquatic life.