LUCKNOW, Oct. 15 -- The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has intensified efforts to clean the Gomti River ahead of Chhath Puja, following directives from chief minister Yogi Adityanath. The campaign focuses on removing water hyacinth, preventing garbage from entering the river, and ensuring cleanliness and safety at key ghats during the festival.

The LMC has deployed a skimmer machine, two heavy-duty dumpers (Hyva), and a Pokland excavator. Six boats and 25 workers are operating daily to remove water hyacinth, with another skimmer being procured to speed up the process.

A task force including Territorial Army officers is supervising operations on the ground. A senior municipal official said, "The presence of Army officers ensures bot...