LUCKNOW, July 7 -- The Gomti river continues to be covered with dense layers of water hyacinth despite regular cleaning efforts by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC), raising serious concerns over the effectiveness of the civic body's action and highlighting gaps in river management.

During a field visit by HT on Sunday, large stretches of the river-from Gomti Barrage to Shaheed Path-were found blanketed with thick mats of water hyacinth. This was despite the LMC deploying over 35 sanitation workers and multiple boats for its removal. Workers could be seen removing the weed manually, but vast patches remained untouched, pointing to either inadequate planning or lack of follow-through.

The state government has been emphasising the n...