Achi news desk-
GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court has directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to submit a response to the vision document prepared for the protection of the Taj Mahal, in response to a plea raising concerns about environmental pollution in the Taj Trapezium area. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhoyan issued the order during a hearing on Friday.
Senior Advocate Sanjay Upadhyay, representing the applicant Shri Raman, argued for a comprehensive approach to addressing the environmental impacts in the Taj Trapezium area. He argued that the ineffective functioning of the Taj Trapezium Pollution Control Authority (Prevention and Control) contributed to the environmental degradation in Agra.
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The plea, filed in the long-pending case of MC Mehta v. Union of India, was discussed against the backdrop of concerns about pollution and its effect on the Taj Mahal. During the hearing, Upadhyaya informed the court of the applicant’s demise. However, the court recognized the significance of the issues raised, particularly the need for a vision document to ensure the preservation of the Taj Mahal.
The court also referred to its earlier order dated July 26, 2018, which noted that a vision document was prepared by the School of Planning and Architecture and the state of Uttar Pradesh without consulting ASI, the agency responsible for the maintenance of the Taj Mahal. Following this, the Supreme Court ordered the state of Uttar Pradesh to submit a copy of the vision document. ASH is required to submit its response in the form of an affidavit within two months.
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The issue is now scheduled for another hearing on July 11, 2024, when the Supreme Court will discuss the implementation of the vision document and A.S.’s response.
