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 an application raising concerns about environmental pollution in the Taj Trapezium Zone. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued the directive 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 Zone. He claimed that the ineffective functioning of the Taj Trapezium Zone Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority had contributed to the environmental degradation in Agra.
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The application, filed in the long-pending case of MC Mehta v. Union of India, was heard amid concerns over pollution and its impact on the Taj Mahal. During the hearing, Upadhyay informed the Court about the passing of the applicant. However, the Court acknowledged 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 previous order dated July 26, 2018, which noted that a vision document had been prepared by the School of Planning and Architecture and the State of Uttar Pradesh without consulting the ASI, the agency responsible for maintaining the Taj Mahal. Following this, the Supreme Court directed the State of Uttar Pradesh to submit a copy of the vision document. The ASI is required to submit its response by way of an affidavit within two months.
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The matter is now scheduled for further consideration on July 11, 2024, when the Supreme Court will discuss the implementation of the vision document and the response from the ASI.