UP presents new green Taj vision

Tells SC that complex to be plastic free, polluting units to be shut

Ban on plastic bags, containers and bottled water in and around the Taj Mahal besides removal of polluting industries from Agra are part of the grand plan laid out by the Uttar Pradesh Government in its Vision Document for development of the iconic monument and its surrounding areas.

The area around the Taj Mahal is also intended to be declared a pedestrian zone, walkable with shaded pedestrian sidewalks, controlled traffic (electric public transport) and designated cycling track. The report seeks to restrict use of polluting private vehicles, two wheelers in the city area surrounding the Taj Mahal.

The first draft of the document was tabled by the State Government in the Supreme Court on Tuesday after it lambasted the Centre and State authorities for doing little to preserve and restore the 17th century architectural marvel.

The document, running into 250 pages, proposes a three-tier scheme that intends development of the Taj Mahal and its precincts, the city as a whole, and the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), which covers an area of 10,400 sqkm  across Agra, Mathura, Firozabad, Hatras, Etah and Bharatpur in Rajasthan.

The report has focused on environmental issues, urban development and planning, infrastructure assessment, linkages and transportation, preserving natural heritage — tangible and intangible, creating form, space and image of urban settlement and providing regional equity.

The Vision Document prepared by the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi, is the first draft and would require further “ironing out” and fund allocation in order to arrive at the final Draft Vision Document, expected to be out in another two months, said the UP Government in its accompanying affidavit presented before a Bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta by State’s Additional Advocate General (AAG) Aishwarya Bhati.

The document proposes development of the historic gardens, parks and historical monuments situated around the Taj Mahal. The vision plan also envisages development of the Yamuna river and its floodplain, restoration of wetlands and natural ponds, and seeks to create green buffer zones.

About pollution caused by industries in TTZ, the report suggested introduction of innovative techniques to tackle the pollution caused to the river and shifting of polluting industries out of TTZ. Interestingly, the report says that the residential settlement and slums on the other side of the river facing the Taj Mahal should be retained with proper infrastructure and livelihood opportunities for those residing in it. The report noted that currently, the mainstay of persons residing around the monument is primarily based on tourism. In the name of promoting Taj as a global tourist destination, the document noted that several traditional industries in the informal sector took a hit with the closure of industries and brick kilns in Agra and its vicinity.

While traditional livelihood patterns need to be conserved, retail commerce must be promoted along with development of more livelihood opportunities such as handicrafts, small-scale cottage industries, based on a multi-sectoral pattern, said the report. About Agra city, the report emphasised the need of covering drains, having a scientific landfill site outside the city with facility to convert waste to energy, and sewage recycling mechanism and storm water drainage system.