- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Wed, 01 Oct 2025 03:56 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
In a bid to improve the city’s air quality, the Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation has announced several projects under the National Clean Air Programme. These include redesigning traffic-prone intersections, mechanised road cleaning, construction of a high-capacity animal crematorium, and the development of an ecological park.
Officials said the corporation has begun identifying land for a new CNG-based animal crematorium, to be built for Rs 11 crore. With a capacity of 20 tonnes, the crematorium will provide eco-friendly disposal of animal carcasses. At present, the only crematorium at Ekla Bandha is insufficient, as 4-6 stray animals die daily in addition to domestic animals.
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To tackle road dust, the corporation will improve the quality of about 18 km of roads at an estimated cost of Rs 23 crore. Around 220 km of roads will be cleaned daily with the help of two new sweeping machines, costing nearly Rs 3.5 crore.
Two busy intersections will also be redesigned and beautified to reduce congestion and pollution. The plan includes tree plantations, fountains, and dust-control measures. An action plan has already been prepared for five intersections, including Shastri Chauraha, Ambedkar Chauraha, Chhatrasangh Chauraha, Padleganj Chauraha, and Nausad Chauraha, with two more to be added soon.
In addition, the corporation will construct an ecological park in Mahesra for Rs 49 crore. Spread across 25 acres, the park will increase green cover, aid in rainwater management, recharge groundwater, reduce waterlogging, and help cut carbon dioxide levels. It will also serve to raise public awareness on environmental conservation and biodiversity.
The initiatives follow Gorakhpur’s drop in the annual Clean Air Survey rankings, where its position slipped from fourth to fifth this year.
“Land identification for the crematorium is underway, and two intersections will soon be finalised for beautification,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Durgesh Mishra.