Govt redefines Ganga floodplain, drops ‘no construction’ provision

The Centre government has redefined the "active floodplain" of the Ganga River and its tributaries as areas that experience flooding at least once every five years. The amendment in the 2016 order also removes the "construction-free zone" provision and adds that the river's banks be maintained to reduce pollution. The earlier order prohibited construction of any structures in the floodplain.