Natural method of water purification is a work of saving fertility and life: Chief Minister*
Gorakhpur, January 3
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday inaugurated a ₹2.70 crore water purification project undertaken by the Municipal Corporation to treat drains flowing into the Rapti River using the natural method of phytoremediation technology.
Speaking at the event, the CM highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative, stating that it will not only purify the river but also save crores of rupees in costs. “There will be neither electricity nor maintenance cost in this,” he added.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised the efforts of the Municipal Corporation in ensuring the Rapti River in Gorakhpur remains uninterrupted, pure, and its water clean and pristine. “This is a commendable initiative,” he said. “It is a significant step towards preserving fertility and sustaining life.”
Highlighting the critical importance of clean water, he recalled that between 1977 and 2017, polluted water and unhygienic conditions caused diseases like encephalitis and vector-borne illnesses, leading to the tragic deaths of 50,000 children in eastern Uttar Pradesh, including Gorakhpur.
The Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for inspiring nationwide initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Amrit Mission in urban areas, and the Jal Jeevan Mission in rural regions, all aimed at ensuring access to clean drinking water. Through the Har Ghar Nal Yojana, the government has worked tirelessly to deliver pure drinking water to every household.
CM Yogi Adityanath further highlighted the success of the Namami Gange project in reviving river ecosystems, initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. He said, “This commitment to preserving India’s river culture has culminated in the upcoming Mahakumbh, the world’s largest religious and spiritual gathering, set to take place at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26.”
Reflecting on Gorakhpur’s heritage, the Chief Minister remarked, “Our civilization and culture thrive along the banks of rivers. Gorakhpur, nurtured by the Rapti and Rohini rivers, is reclaiming its essence as we purify the very rivers that sustain our way of life.”
The Chief Minister highlighted that the National Green Tribunal had previously been imposing fines on the Municipal Corporation due to the discharge of polluted water into the Rapti River. In response, the Corporation had planned to construct a sewage treatment plant (STP) at a cost of ₹110 crore. However, the Chief Minister advocated for the adoption of natural water purification methods. He said, “Today, the positive results of this approach are evident. Previously, the water’s Biochemical Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) level had reached 350, making it more toxic than hazardous waste and unsuitable even for irrigation. After employing natural purification methods, the BOD level has now been reduced to a pure state, with the water at the end of the process having a BOD level of just 22.”
CM Yogi further emphasized that the entire ₹2.7 crore cost of this natural water purification project is a one-time expense. In the long run, it will save crores of rupees in electricity and maintenance costs.
He expressed confidence that this method could be implemented more extensively, calling it a model for sustainable development. “By applying this natural model to every drain, we can successfully preserve the purity of water—the most essential resource—while achieving superior results at a fraction of the cost,” he said.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the Municipal Corporation’s water purification project using the natural phytoremediation technique before its inauguration.
He examined the project’s design and visited the site to observe the condition of the treated water. Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Singh Sogarwal informed the Chief Minister that polluted water from the city flows into the Rapti and Rohini rivers through 15 major drains. He said, “To prevent contamination of the river water, the Municipal Corporation is implementing a ₹2.7 crore water purification project using the phytoremediation technique. The project covers the drain flowing into the Rapti River via Takiya Ghat from the Ilahi Bagh Regulator.”
He added, “Under this method, a pre-filter has been installed on the main drain, along with four branch drains and two additional smaller drains. A gabion wall made of natural stone has been constructed every 30 to 40 meters, and aquatic plants have been planted in the drain. The water passing through these processes gets purified before entering the river. The project is designed to purify up to 15 million liters of water per day.”
During his visit, the Chief Minister suggested expanding this natural purification method to other drains as well.
While inspecting the project at Takiya Ghat, CM Yogi Adityanath took time to interact warmly with women, the elderly, and children. He inquired about the studies of a young girl named Aashiya, who is in class three. The Chief Minister blessed Aashiya and the other children, and he also distributed chocolates to them. /GW/
