Fragrance of jasmine and itra to welcome Trump, Melania at Taj

AGRA: Fragrance of jasmine and itra will welcome US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the Taj Mahal today. Hundreds of garlands of jasmine and dozens of diffusers with itra, especially supplied from Kannauj, have been placed in the vicinity of the Taj.
On February 19, during his visit to Agra to check preparations for hosting the state guests on February 24, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had expressed discontent over stench in the vicinity of the monument. Mayor Naveen Jain had told CM that it is due to the Taj east drain.
The civic body in coordination with the horticulture department has installed pots of variety of flowers on footpaths and at roundabouts.
The CM had issued strict orders to the local authorities to get time-bound solution for the problem.
On the next day, the Agra Municipal Corporation (AMC) started deep cleaning of the Taj east drain located just 200 metres away from the east side of the monument.
Using bioenzymes supplied from Visakhapatnam, on Friday, phytoremediation process was started to reduce foul smell emanating from the drain.
According to the civic body officials, the scientific process takes 72 hours to remove any foul smell from the time it is implemented.
AMC executive engineer (environment) Rajeev Rathi said, "Phytoremediation process is doing its job. Best results will emerge by Monday morning. Now, no foul smell can be experienced in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal. The jasmine flower garlands and diffusers with itra have been placed by the horticulture department."
The civic body in coordination with the horticulture department has installed pots of variety of flowers on footpaths and at roundabouts. Exotic flowers have been planted on the road dividers.
Meanwhile, teams of AMC workers began final washing of the 14-kilometre VVIP route from Kheria airbase to Taj Mahal on Sunday afternoon. Trees on the route are also being washed using water sprays. The work will continue till 12 noon on Sunday.