Uttar Pradesh Moves to Ban Construction Near Ganga to Safeguard River Ecology

The Uttar Pradesh government has moved to prohibit all new construction within a 200-metre radius of the Ganga.

The move, grounded in a draft set of building byelaws soon to be notified, marks a landmark shift in urban planning around riverine ecosystems and could set a precedent for other Indian states grappling with unchecked development along water bodies. The proposed regulations categorically define permissible and restricted activities along the Ganga’s banks—an area that has long been shrouded in ambiguity, particularly in tier-2 pilgrimage towns. While all new construction will be prohibited within the earmarked buffer zone, the draft allows limited repair, renovation, and conservation of existing structures. Further, the government has made a conditional allowance for religious structures like ashrams, monasteries, and temples in designated pilgrimage locations, provided they adhere to a strict ground coverage limit of 35 percent and a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of 1.5.

This codification of rules is being viewed as a critical intervention, not only in preserving the sanctity of the Ganga but also in enhancing its long-term environmental resilience. Officials involved in drafting the byelaws confirmed that the move follows extensive consultations and reflects increasing concern over the river’s health, particularly the impact of unregulated urban expansion and construction-related waste that contributes to water pollution. The regulations mandate that property owners within the buffer zone submit a legal undertaking ensuring that any permissible activity will not pollute the river. All disposal of building material and wastewater must be compliant with environmental standards and discharge norms. These provisions are expected to act as a preventive check against illegal dumping, a chronic issue that has hindered the success of earlier clean-up efforts.

Experts in environmental planning hailed the draft byelaws as a long-overdue step. “This kind of spatial zoning is crucial if we are serious about sustainable development,” said a senior planner associated with state-level infrastructure bodies. “The Ganga’s ecosystem is delicate. Construction within such proximity severely compromises its flow, biodiversity, and natural self-cleaning properties.” The policy also draws attention to similar restrictions enforced in other river zones under directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the courts. While courts have often issued site-specific orders, the UP government’s approach is among the first to establish a uniform, codified framework under urban planning law.

At a broader level, these byelaws are embedded within the state’s push for industrial and infrastructural growth via 33 sector-specific policies. These include norms for industries like textiles, warehousing, tourism, and solar energy. For such sectors, the FAR allowance may extend up to 4.5, depending on the project’s nature and location. However, government officials clarified that these higher thresholds will be subject to environmental safeguards, especially near ecologically sensitive zones like rivers. Development authorities across the state will be required to align their map approval and construction clearance processes with these new byelaws. Housing and urban development departments have been directed to integrate the rules into their operational protocols, including e-mapping and approval workflows. The goal is to create a consistent and enforceable policy architecture that promotes both economic growth and environmental protection.

The proposed measures come amid increasing scrutiny of riverfront urbanisation and its unintended consequences. Despite major national programmes such as Namami Gange, pollution levels in the river have shown sporadic improvement due to lapses in urban wastewater management and encroachments. The new building byelaws attempt to address these gaps not just through punitive action but by redesigning how cities interface with rivers. Stakeholders in the real estate sector have expressed concern over potential economic implications. However, officials indicated that the long-term benefits of preserving ecological zones far outweigh short-term disruptions. “There has to be a balance. If the Ganga’s ecology collapses, the cultural, environmental, and economic damage will be far more severe than any developmental delays,” said a senior official overseeing urban governance in the state.

Environmental advocacy groups, meanwhile, have called for the policy to be expanded to include Yamuna and other major rivers in Uttar Pradesh. “This shouldn’t just be about the Ganga, though its symbolic value is immense. Rivers across India need uniform protection from unplanned urbanisation,” said one river restoration expert. The final notification of the byelaws is expected soon, and once in effect, they will become a central component of Uttar Pradesh’s urban planning roadmap. By placing ecological health at the heart of development regulation, the state signals a progressive approach—one that could help reshape India’s fragile relationship with its rivers in the era of climate stress and urban overreach.

Uttar Pradesh Moves to Ban Construction Near Ganga to Safeguard River Ecology