LUCKNOW, May 2 -- Over one-and-a-half months after the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) promised to remove water hyacinth from the Gomti river, large stretches remain choked, especially near the Bhainsakund area. Despite earlier claims that the river would be cleared from water hyacinth within a month, LMC has failed to control the invasive plant's rapid spread.

The unchecked growth has allowed water hyacinth to accumulate in bulk, blocking water flow and posing serious ecological risks. The dense patches have now clustered near the riverbanks, worsening the situation.

LMC officials resumed a limited clean-up drive on Wednesday and announced that a regular drive will start again on Friday.

"We conducted cleaning on Wednesday and wil...