Ghaziabad: New Rules Mandate Rainwater Harvesting, Ban Concrete in Parks

• Ghaziabad implements strict new construction rules to combat falling groundwater levels, making rainwater harvesting mandatory.
• Houses over 300 sqm require harvesting systems; smaller plots (100-300 sqm) are exempt if a collective recharge network exists.
• Construction work must now use treated wastewater instead of potable water, as per Building Construction and Development By-laws-2025.
• Large townships (over 10 acres) must reserve 1% of their area for a 2-meter deep pond for rainwater harvesting.
• Parks will limit concrete to 5%, using interlocking blocks to allow water seepage; ponds and water bodies will be freed from encroachment.