SC seeks response over shifting cremation ground near Taj Mahal

The Supreme Court on Monday sought response from the Uttar Pradesh and central authorities on the shifting of a cremation ground near Taj Mahal so that the historic monument could be saved from smoke and ash coming from it.

The bench of Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice C. Nagappan sought response from the Agra Development Authority (ADA), Agra Municipal Corporation (AMC), Uttar Pradesh government and suggestions from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on the shifting of the cremation ground or putting up an electric crematorium.

The court also sought response and suggestions from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The court sought the responses after it received a letter from Justice Kurian Joseph -- a sitting judge of the apex court -- pointing to the danger to the Taj Mahal from smoke and ash generated from the cremation ground on account of firewood and other fuel being used there.

Justice Joseph noticed this during his recent visit to the Taj Mahal.

The court also noted that way back on December 7, 1998, it had issued notice to the ADA and AMC on shifting of the cremation ground.

On April 12, 1999, it had sought to know the steps taken by the municipal bodies and the city development authority on relocation of the cremation ground.

As the court sought responses, counsel A.D.N. Rao, appearing for the court-appointed environment body Central Empowered Committee, said that even the ASI favoured shifting of the cremation ground.

The court also sought a report from the CEC on the state government plea seeking the felling of 281 trees along a 37-km-stretch of the 391-km Agra-Lucknow six-lane express highway.

The court sought report from the CEC, after Uttar Pradesh Advocate General Vijay Bahadur Singh told the court that instead of planting 562 saplings for felling 281 trees as required under environmental regulations, the state government was planting 37,000 sapling along the 37-km-stretch between Agra and Firozabad.

Asked if the saplings have already been planted, Vijay Bahadur Singh said it would start only after heavy machine work was completed on the 37-km-stretch.

Giving the CEC three weeks' time to submit its report, the court directed further hearing of the matter on December 14.