UP to present 'vision document' on Taj Mahal before SC on Thursday

The Uttar Pradesh government will be presenting a 'vision document' on the Taj Mahal in Agra before the Supreme Court on Thursday, an official said on Monday.

This document, prepared by the Delhi School of Planning and Architecture, was put together after the apex court came down heavily on the government while hearing a petition filed by environmentalist M.C. Mehta.

Ten days back, the top court made sharp observations on the central and the state governments for not being able to protect the iconic structure.

It asked the Yogi Adityanath government on why industrial activities have picked up pace in the 10,400 sq km Taj Trapezium Zone (TEZ) area comprising Mathura, Agra, Hathras, Etah and Firozabad, created for protection and conservation of the Mughal structure.

The bench also reprimanded the governments saying that the issue called for long-term solutions, not short term and knee-jerk methods.

The state government, through the vision document to be submitted on July 26, plans to apprise the apex court of the efforts being made by it to protect the 17th century monument, which also draws the largest footfall of foreign tourists in the state.

These efforts include making of a rubber check dam to be built at a cost of Rs 300 crore on Yamuna river, the foundation stone of which was laid down by Adityanath in October 2017.

Other than restoration works around Taj Mahal, an orientation centre at the eastern gate and beautification of the Mehtab Bagh are also underway.

--IANS

md/in/sed