Cbi Probe Into Taj Corridor Project
The Supreme Court today ordered a CBI inquiry into the Rs 175 crore Taj corridor project, especially into irregularities and illegalities, which continued even after the court stopped the construction in its order on May 1. The CBI will submit its report within two months.
Despite the court order, Rs 17 crore had been spent on the project, which included building of shopping malls and amusement parks in the space between the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort after diverting the river Yamuna.
The Bench comprising Justice MB Shah and Justice AR Lakshmanan asked the CBI to identify the officials who approved of the project and released funds even before it got environmental audit from the Central Pollution Control Board.
The judges came down heavily on central public sector undertaking NBCC which undertook the project and gave sub-contracts to private firms.
In addition, it also displayed a board stating that the project was being built on the directions of the Supreme Court.
The judges said fake court orders were circulating in Bihar. Now PSUs also seemed to follow this trade. Counsel for the company profusely apologised for erecting the board.
The Uttar Pradesh government submitted that the mission management board headed by the chief secretary had drawn up the plan for the