Now Reading: Centre eases Ganga floodplain construction ban, defines zones
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Centre eases Ganga floodplain construction ban, defines zones
The Union government has amended the River Ganga Authorities Order, 2016, replacing the blanket construction-free zone along the Ganga floodplain with a stratified, approval-based system. An August 10 gazette notification from the…
The Story in Brief
The Union government has amended the River Ganga Authorities Order, 2016, replacing the blanket construction-free zone along the Ganga floodplain with a stratified, approval-based system. An August 10 gazette notification from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) now defines three zones: an active floodplain (flooding every 1, 5 years), a regulatory zone (5, 25 years), and a warning zone (25, 100 years). Construction is banned only in the active zone, with minor exceptions for temporary religious events. Projects in other zones need prior NMCG clearance.
A senior government official told The Hindu the changes correct an inconsistency, the 2016 order used ‘active floodplain’ without defining it. The official insisted there was “no dilution of standards.” The amendment follows recent petitions before the National Green Tribunal against construction along the Ganga and its tributaries, including the Gomti.
The Indian Opinion
This amendment will inflame both sides: environmental groups will call it a backdoor sellout to builders, while the government insists it just fixes a legal glitch. The 2016 order’s total ban was arguably unrealistic for a river that flows through hundreds of villages and towns. But the new scheme relies entirely on NMCG approvals, a body with a mixed track record on enforcement. The real test will be how many projects get cleared in the regulatory and warning zones, especially those linked to the Namami Gange mission’s own riverfront works. Will the NGT now wave through pending cases?
Sources (2): thehindu.com, hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
