The Uttar Pradesh housing and urban planning department has released the draft of the new Building Construction and Development Bylaws 2025 and invited public feedback within fifteen days. The draft is intended to replace the 2008 bylaws and incorporates all subsequent amendments to introduce more flexible norms for urban development.

Citizens may send objections or suggestions either in writing at the department’s Lucknow office or via email. A key feature of the draft is the introduction of “Bazaar Streets”, which require a minimum right-of-way of twelve metres and allow commercial use across the full plot depth.

On these streets, ground and first floors will be reserved for commercial use, while residential usage will be permitted on upper floors and optionally on lower floors upon request. In built-up areas, retail shops may now be allowed on roads as narrow as six metres, a shift from the previous minimum of nine to twelve metres.

The bylaws also define floor area ratios for mixed-use projects in transit-oriented development (TOD) zones. In Ghaziabad, such zones have been designated within 1.5 kilometres of eight Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) stations.

Experts say the reforms could lower housing costs and enable more efficient project designs.

Source: Hindustan Times