The Supreme Court on 27 October stayed its order directing the demolition of a multi-level car parking being constructed near the iconic Taj Mahal at Agra.
The apex court asked the authorities to maintain status quo at the site, which is around one kilometre from the eastern gate of the 17th century monument, and said no further construction will be carried out there.
A bench comprising Justices M B Lokur and Dipak Gupta asked additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Uttar Pradesh govenrment to file a comprehensive policy on preservation and pollution in the Taj Trapezium Zone and nearby areas.
The Taj Trapezium Zone is an area of 10,400 sq km around the historic Taj Mahal and is aimed at protecting the ancient monument.
Mehta told the bench that the government was committed to protect the Taj Mahal and he will file a comprehensive policy regarding this before the court.
The court fixed the matter for further hearing on 15 November.
The apex court, which is dealing with a petition filed by environmentalist M C Mehta, has been monitoring development in the area to protect the Taj Mahal.
Mehta, in his PIL, has sought protection of the Taj from the ill-effects of polluting gases and deforestation in and around the area.
SC Orders Demolition of Parking Lot
The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 24 October, ordered that the parking lot around the Taj Mahal in Agra be demolished, calling it a potential environmental hazard. It also criticised the Uttar Pradesh government for having allowed the construction of the parking lot within the Taj Trapezium Zone in the first place.
This verdict, as shared by the the lawyer appearing for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), came a few months after the Supreme Court had put down Uttar Pradesh government’s request to cut over 400 trees to lay down an additional railway track between Mathura and Delhi.
Also Read: After Controversy, Taj features in UP Govt’s 2018 Calendar
This (Taj Mahal) is a world-famous monument and you (government) want to destroy it? Have you seen the recent pictures of Taj? Go to the internet and have a look at it.Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta, had told the UP government back then.
Efforts to eliminate objects and projects which could pose harm to the heritage monument, have been underway for a while now. In August, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed the UP government to break down the illegal restaurant constructed by a private party near the iconic monument.
Also Read: NGT Hits out at Delhi Govt for Not Enforcing Plastic Ban
(This story has been updated to reflect the stay order. With inputs from PTI)
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