UP Drafts New Building Bylaws, Seeks Public Feedback in 15 Days

21 Apr 2025 CW Team

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

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Mizoram To Build Rs 139 Billion Pumped Storage Power Plant

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced plans to construct a 2,400 MW pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Hnahthial district, marking a major step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in the state. Addressing the Mizo Students’ Union general conference in Hnahthial town, the Chief Minister said the plant would be developed across the Darzo Nallah, a tributary of the Tuipui river. Once operational, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting Mizoram’s rising electricity demand and reducing dependence on imported power. Officials from the State Power..

Centre Plans Nationwide Opening Of Power Retail Market

India is preparing to open up its retail electricity market to private companies nationwide, effectively ending the long-standing monopoly of state-run power distributors in most regions, according to a draft bill released by the Union Power Ministry on Friday. The move will enable major private sector players — including Adani Enterprises, Tata Power, Torrent Power, and CESC — to expand their presence across the country’s electricity distribution landscape. A similar reform attempt in 2022 had faced strong opposition from state-run distribution companies (discoms), which currently dom..

CEA Sets 100 GW Nuclear Target For India By 2047

In a landmark step marking its 52nd Foundation Day, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) unveiled an ambitious roadmap to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term Net-Zero commitment and energy security objectives. The event, held at the Central Water Commission auditorium in New Delhi’s R.K. Puram, was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, who served as the Chief Guest. The roadmap sets out a detailed plan to expand India’s nuclear capacity from its current level of approximately 8,180 MW as of early 2025, outl..