Top court asks UP Govt to submit vision document on Taj Mahal

The apex court was hearing on a petition by an environmentalist over protection of the historical monument from the pollution around. The top court earlier ordered the demolition of a multi-level car parking that was built near the Taj Mahal. The UP government was asked to submit a protection and preservation plan for the Mughal mausoleum.

During the previous hearing in February, country's top court had asked the State government to submit the vision document mentioning to keep the Taj Mahal safe for about 100 years. The apex court also pulled up both the Centre and state and expressed dissatisfaction over the procedures of both governments in dealing with the situation.

It may be mentioned that the top court had earlier directed the Yogi government that they don't have to secure the building for 15 or 20 years but to keep it safe for 300, 400 years. It further held that ad-hock plan for the situation isn't going to work. The court gave the example of planting trees. It stated, "When you plant trees, 75 per cent of those trees die, then, what is the benefit of planting such trees in such a manner." The SC stayed its order in November, asking Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) authority to come up with a comprehensive action plan to protect the monument.