SC permits UP govt, authorities to consider environment clearance to projects in Taj Trapezium Zone

The Supreme Court Friday permitted the Uttar Pradesh government and other authorities to grant environmental clearances (ECs) to various projects such as drinking water supply, sewerage treatment plant and drainage system at the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ).

The top court, on March 22 last year, had ordered 'status quo' (maintenance of existing condition) with regard to granting of ECs to various projects by authorities in TTZ till the time the vision document on protection and preservation of Taj Mahal and surrounding environment was filed by the UP government.

The TTZ is an area of about 10,400 sq km spread over the districts of Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras and Etah in Uttar Pradesh and the Bharatpur district of Rajasthan and the apex court has been hearing the PIL of environmentalist M C Mehta on preserving the monument and its surroundings.

A bench comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices B R Gavai and Surya Kant modified its earlier order after taking note of the fact that the state government has complied with the direction by filing the 'vision document' on protection and preservation of Taj Mahal and environment in TTZ.

It took note of the state's plea that now the government and other statutory authorities be permitted to grant ECs "which are necessary for providing essential public facilities including drinking water supply, sewerage treatment plant, drainage system, solid waste disposal, Common Effluent Treatment Plant, Bio Medical Waste Treatment Facility, and Waste to Energy Plants".

The top court in its order said: "In light of the aforementioned amenities being crucial for securing basic living conditions of TTZ's residents, we are of the opinion that there need not be any impediment for granting necessary clearances for the same.

"We are conscious of the fact that citizens have a fundamental right to such essential amenities; and how counterintuitively, not allowing construction of such basic infrastructure can itself create new polluting waste and threaten the environment."