MONUMENTS

Government Statements on Taj Mahal

According to the report of the expert committee set up under the directions of the Supreme Court, the Taj Mahal is structurally sound and stable. The main materials of brick and lime mortar of the structure are in good condition and have not been affected. Steps taken by the Government to conserve the Taj Mahal include the following:

1.     A trapezium surrounding the Taj Mahal has been demarcated. No new polluting industry is allowed to be set up in this area.

2.     There is a ban on the use of furnace oil and diesel generators in industries in Agra. The foundries are not permitted to operate during winter nights.

3.     Continuous sulphur dioxide monitoring stations have been maintained downwind of the Mathura Refinery towards the) Constituting of an expert Taj Mahal and monitor the trend of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen concentrations in the ambient air.

4.     The Mathura Refinery has planned a number of steps. adoption of hydrocracker, to continuously bring down its sulphur dioxide emissions.

5.     A network of ambient air quality monitoring stations has been set up and operated in Agra by the UP. Pollution Control Board.

6.     The recommendations of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute on the steps to protect the Taj Mahal have been forwarded to the sectoral Ministries i.e. the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Surface Transport, Power, Archaeological Survey of India, and the Government of U.P. for implementation.

7.     The foundries have been directed to adopt the divided blast system in their cupolas to cut down their emissions.

8.     The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has initiated a ten-point package programme to save Taj Mahal from the effects of air pollution.

9.     The Hon'ble Supreme Court vide its Order dated 11.4.1994 has directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests for setting up of a Special Cell for the purpose of developing green belt around the Taj Mahal, as suggested by NEERI in its report. This Ministry has set up a Special Cell for implementation of the green belt development plan.

The writ petition (civil) NO. 13381 of 1984 regarding the preservation of the Taj Mahal called for first hearing by the Supreme Court in January 1993. Thereafter, various orders have been issued by the court. The Government have responded and conformed to the court orders; these include:

      I.         Constituting a special cell for implementation of a green belt development plan around the Taj

Mahal.

    II.         ii)Constituting of an expert committee on Atmospheric Environment quality and Preservation of Taj Mahal and Agra Monuments.

  III.         Filing a positive response regarding relocation of industries in the Agra Mathura region.

(Source: LSUQ No. 1433 dated 12 March, 1996 by V. Pawar)

On Preservation of Taj Mahal

The Asian Development Bank have approved technical assistance to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current environmental situation in the Agra, Mathura, and Ferozabad districts, recommend appropriate mitigation measures for improvement, and formulate a Project for sustainable development of Agra, Mathura and Ferozabad districts with particular reference to environmental protection, energy conservation and economic and social impact.

Further course of action with respect to ADB related loan assistance will depend on the reports arising out of the above technical assistance.

(Source: LSUQ No. 1002 dated 8 March, 1996 by T. Singh & P.D. Katheria)

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