LUCKNOW, Feb. 10 -- The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gomti Task Force to strengthen coordination and improve the efficiency of ongoing Gomti river cleaning operations. The proposal has been sent to senior officials of the Gomti Task Force for approval, after which the agreement will be formally signed. LMC chief engineer (mechanical and electrical) Manoj Prabhat said the civic body has already been working in coordination with the Gomti Task Force for nearly eight months, and the MoU will formalise this collaboration. He said cleaning the Gomti is a major responsibility, and a structured partnership will help in better planning, monitoring, and execution of river-cleaning activities. According to Prabhat, the primary role of the Gomti Task Force involves inspection and technical assessment of pollution sources affecting the river. The task force identifies drains and nullahs that discharge untreated waste and contaminated water directly into the Gomti. Based on these inputs, the LMC designs targeted interventions to curb pollution at the source. Prabhat said the LMC receives regular updates on major drains such as the Nagariya Nullah and the Faizullaganj Nullah. The corporation is making sustained efforts to stop waste from entering the river from these points. Desilting work is underway, and settling chambers are being constructed in Faizullaganj Ward-1 to ensure silt settles before water flows into the river. Prabhat said the task force is assisting in setting up a natural Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to treat polluted water in an eco-friendly manner. Two trash barriers have already been installed in the Gomti to stop floating waste, while two additional barriers are planned at Gulaala Ghat and Ghaila. These barriers aim to prevent waste coming from upstream districts from entering the city stretch of the river. Based on information shared by the task force, the LMC has also planned to deploy its boats at identified locations to intensify cleaning operations. Regular cleaning drives are currently underway along different stretches of the river. Prabhat added that the Gomti Task Force is exploring additional CSR funding to install specialised machines that can intercept and remove floating waste entering the river from outside districts. He said once the MoU receives approval, the partnership will move into an execution-focused phase, strengthening long-term efforts to restore and protect the Gomti river. Municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar revealed that after the success of the Ganga Task Force, a Gomti Task Force has been formed for better coordination and work for the cleaning of Gomti....