JOIN USAfter repeated snub by the Supreme Court over growing pollution around Taj Mahal, the Union government on Monday decided to set up a high-level committee of experts which will assess the impact of industrial units in the Taj Trapezium Zone and recommend their fate.
The decision was taken at a meeting held by Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Harshvardhan, Mahesh Sharma and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to chart out an action plan to protect and preserve the Taj Mahal.
The committee, to headed by Union environment ministry secretary C K Mishra, will comprise experts from Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other institutions.
During the meeting, it was suggested that the industrial units, contributing to the pollution around Taj Mahal, should be given some time to upgrade their technology so that the level of pollution around the iconic monument is brought down.
“There were also suggestions to close down most hazardous industrial units which can not be improved anyway. But, there are issues of job loss and other things. Hence we decided to set up a committee of experts to look into the issue,” Gadkari told reporters after the meeting.
Gadkari said that the committee will study contribution of industrial units to growing pollution around Taj Mahal “on a case to case basis” and make its recommendations.
“The committee to expected to submit its report to us soon. We welcome the Supreme Court's decision. We are also concerned about growing pollution around Taj Mahal. We have to take some concrete action in next five-six months,” he added.
The apex court recently came down heavily on the central and state governments for the “apathy” and “lethargy” in their efforts to preserve and restore the Taj Mahal, expressing concern over the changing colour of the iconic monument.