Lucknow: Once forgotten and choked with silt and encroachments, the Eshan River is flowing once again—reviving not just a dying waterway, but also the hopes of farmers and villagers in Etah, Hathras, Mainpuri, Kannauj, and Kanpur Nagar. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the rejuvenation of this 57-kilometre-long river in Etah has become a model of ecological revival and grassroots collaboration.
Acting swiftly on CM Yogi’s directives, departments like the State Swachh Ganga Mission, Namami Gange, and the Rural Water Supply Department are working at a war-footing level to restore minor rivers across the state. The result is a greener and more prosperous rural Uttar Pradesh.
Eshan River: A Lifeline Restored
District Magistrate of Etah, Prem Ranjan Singh, confirmed that the river’s revival will directly benefit 44 gram panchayats. Excavation of village ponds under MGNREGA, along with large-scale plantation drives by the Forest Department and District Ganga Committees, has further added to the region’s green cover. These efforts are aimed not only at rejuvenating the river but also at sustaining agricultural activities and improving groundwater recharge.
Model of People-Government Partnership
This transformation didn’t happen overnight. It is a result of strong administrative intent and public participation. With political commitment and local cooperation, what once was a dying stream has now turned into a life-giving river. CM Yogi’s emphasis on river rejuvenation as a means of ecological and economic development has turned the Eshan River into a living model for other districts to follow.
Geography of the Eshan River
According to CDO Dr. Nagendra Narayan Mishra, the Eshan River enters Etah district from Nagla Godi in the Nidhouli Kalan block. It passes through 44 gram panchayats—10 in Nidhouli Kalan, 4 in Sheetalpur, and 30 in Saket. From Etah, it flows through Mainpuri and Kannauj before finally merging with the Ganga at Bilhaur in Kanpur Nagar.
Technical Synergy Ensures Success
The revival of the Eshan River is a result of effective technical and administrative synergy. The Irrigation and Minor Irrigation departments provided crucial technical input, while the Irrigation Drainage Division carried out major drain clearances. To combat water scarcity, the government has devised plans to ensure the river remains perennial.
This revival is more than just an environmental effort—it’s a story of social change, agricultural resilience, and economic upliftment. The rejuvenated Eshan is a testimony to what can be achieved when vision meets action, making it a beacon of hope for river restoration projects across India.
