Taj Mahal precinct should be made no-plastic zone: UP govt tells SC

The entire precinct of Taj Mahal should be declared a no-plastic zone and use of bottled water be also prohibited there, the Uttar Pradesh government today suggested to the Supreme Court in its first draft report of a vision document on protection and preservation of the 17th century monument.

The state government has also said that all polluting and sick industries from the area be removed and focus should be on having a comprehensive traffic management system in which pedestrian movement should be encouraged.

In its draft report, covering the assessment undertaken at Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) level, Agra level and Taj Mahal precinct, the state government has suggested a slew of measures to restore the pristine glory of the iconic monument.

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 Bharatpur district of Rajasthan.

"The entire precinct should be declared as a no-plastic zone, including the use of bottled water," it said, adding, "the (Yamuna) river edges must be cleared from the accumulated solid waste and no untreated sewage discharge should be allowed throughout the stretch of the river."