Centre relaxes construction hurdles in Ganga flood plain
The Indian government has revised the definition of 'flood plains' along the Ganga river, effectively removing a blanket ban on construction in certain zones. Officials state this change corrects legal inconsistencies, though it allows for development in areas previously designated as protected.
Why it matters
This policy shift balances infrastructure development needs against environmental protection and flood risk management for the Ganga river basin.
The Union government eased restrictions governing construction along the Ganga flood plain this week, paving the way for building projects in areas which are only subject to moderate or rare flooding. This has been done by revising the definition of a ‘flood plain’ and deleting a clause in the legislation that expressly prohibited construction, according to an August 10 gazette order from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), affiliated to the Jal Shakti Ministry.
A senior government official told The Hindu that the amendments did not represent any “dilution of standards”, but rather, attempted to correct an inconsistency in the law.
The ₹30,000 crore Namami Ganga mission, part of the NDA government’s ambitious venture to stem pollution in the Ganga river and maintain its ecological health, sources its legal teeth from the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016.
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