{
  "id": 643408,
  "title": "Centre redefines Ganga floodplain, drops 'construction-free zone' provision",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/centre-redefines-ganga-floodplain-drops-construction-free-zone",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T07:35:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-redefines-ganga-floodplain-drops-construction-free-zone-provision-101786520102762.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Indian government has redefined the Ganga floodplain and introduced regulatory and warning zones based on flood return periods. The updated definition removes the 'construction-free zone' provision, instead focusing on reducing pollution sources and preserving groundwater recharge functions. The active floodplain, now defined as the area inundated during a one-in-five-year flood, will be maintained to prevent pollution and preserve natural functions. The 2026 amendment also established regulatory zones for floods with a one-in-25-year and one-in-100-year frequency, but did not specify construction permissions or prohibitions for these areas.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}