In a significant move to safeguard the Ganga river, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced a ban on construction activities within a 200-meter radius of the river. For the first time, the upcoming draft of the building byelaws, which is expected to be issued shortly, will specify the types of construction that can take place along the banks of this sacred river. However, the byelaws will permit repair, renovation, and conservation efforts for existing structures located near the Ganga.
Addressing previously ambiguous regulations in certain towns along the Ganga, the new guidelines will permit the construction of ashrams, monasteries, and temples at key pilgrimage sites, subject to conditions such as a maximum ground coverage of 35% and a floor area ratio (FAR) of 1.5.
FAR, or Floor Area Ratio, is a key metric that determines the total usable space permissible on a parcel of land. For instance, a 5,000 square foot lot would require a built area of 7,500 square feet if the FAR is set at 1.5, and 10,000 square feet if the FAR is 2.
Additionally, property owners must commit to ensuring that construction activities do not lead to pollution of the Ganga river. They are also required to manage the disposal of construction materials and wastewater in compliance with established regulations. Similar restrictions will apply if the National Green Tribunal or any court has imposed regulations on construction activities near other rivers. The draft further instructs the housing development department to enforce the various sector-specific policies established by the Uttar Pradesh government.
To foster industrial growth, the UP government has introduced 33 sectoral policies aimed at attracting investments across different sectors by providing additional incentives and exemptions for entrepreneurs and business owners. A senior official from the planning department provided examples indicating that FAR, height restrictions, and the use of ancillary spaces differ among industries.
For residential, group housing, and commercial properties, the FAR typically ranges from 1.5 to 3, while certain industries are permitted a FAR of up to 4.5. “The sectoral policies developed for areas such as warehousing, tourism, solar energy, and textiles will be taken into account by local development authorities. The map approval process will adhere to the guidelines outlined in these sectoral policies once the byelaws are enacted,” the official stated.
