The Hindu : No construction around the Taj, Jagmohan writes to Mayawati

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2003

National

National

No construction around the Taj, Jagmohan writes to Mayawati

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JUNE 16. Taking a stern view of the Uttar Pradesh Government's reported plan to construct a Heritage Corridor near the Taj Mahal, the Union Tourism and Culture Minister, Jagmohan, has told the Chief Minister, Mayawati, and the Union Environment Minister, T. R. Baalu, to ensure that no construction comes up around the monument in violation of the approved plan of the Archaeological Survey of India and directions of the Supreme Court.

Also, Mr. Jagmohan has called a meeting of all concerned — the U.P. Chief Secretary, officials of the Environment and Culture Ministries, besides the ASI — — on Friday to take stock of the situation.

Upset by reports of such a corridor coming up near India's best known monument, Mr. Jagmohan dashed off letters to both Ms. Mayawati and Mr. Baalu today.

In his letter to Ms. Mayawati, Mr. Jagmohan asked her to issue instructions to all departments concerned to ensure that the statutory provisions were respected and that nothing was done which was not in accordance with the approved plan of the ASI and directions of the Supreme Court.

In his letter to Mr. Baalu, he said the Ministry should ensure that the statutory provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, and his own Ministry's plan for the protected monuments in and around Agra were not violated.

Refuting reports of Central compliance in the proposed Rs. 175-crore project, Mr. Jagmohan has placed on record that his Ministry had not approved of any such project.

"Nor can any agency or organisation do so in view of the statutory requirements.'' As per the 1958 Act, no work — whatsoever — can be done without the specific approval of the Central Government/ASI within a radius of 300 metres of any of the protected monuments/places.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National