ASI does not have record of protected area around Taj Mahal

The Archaeological Survey of India, mandated to protect ancient monuments, does not have record of demarcated area around marble wonder Taj Mahal in which any new construction is prohibited.

This strange fact came during a hearing before Central Information Commission wherein an RTI applicant had approached seeking the demarcated area around the

Taj in which construction is not permitted.

The transparency law makes it obligatory on part of public authorities to disclose information sought by an applicant on the payment of Rs 10 unless it attracts any

provisions which allow it to be withheld from disclosure. The RTI applicant wanted information about demarcation of 500 metre boundary around the mausoleum of

Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaj Mahal where new construction is prohibited. The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of the ASI said the

"record" is not available with them.

Irked by the response, Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu said the government has a duty to regulate the construction activity around the protected

monument of national importance such as Taj Mahal which was also declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 and attracts around three million visitors from across the

globe every year. Issuing a show cause notice to the CPIO for explaining denial of information, the Commission also directed the ASI to designate an official who

would keep record of complaints on the harassment of residents in the protective zone.