New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to consider shifting of a crematorium located near Taj Mahal to prevent smoke affecting the world heritage site.
A bench comprising Justices T S Thakur and C Nagappan also rued that the quality of work done today around the Taj site with all the facilities, did not match the historic monument built with bare hands, chisels and hammer.
The bench took into account a letter written by apex court judge, Justice Kurien Joseph, who had pointed out that Taj was under threat from pollution due to smoke emanating from the crematorium. The apex court noted that despite several previous orders to the Agra Nagar Nigam and Agra Development Authority “nothing meaningful” has been done and the public crematorium continues to be at present location resulting in possible damage to the historic monument.
It directed Advocate General Vijay Bahadur Singh, appearing for Uttar Pradesh government, to seek instructions on the issue and file appropriate response. Justice Kurian Joseph on October 1 had written a letter to Chief Justice of India H L Dattu stating that there was a looming threat to the monument due to smoke and ash arising from the cremation ground.
Justice Joseph’s letter stated that he along with his family had visited the Taj in September. During his visit, he noted that the emissions arising from the cremation ground may damage the monument’s white marble.
In his letter, Justice Joseph had also proposed that the authorities be directed to relocate the crematorium to some other place in order to protect the site. During the hearing, the Advocate General informed the bench about the construction of a 500-metre road near the monument, which was being built with red sandstone tiles as coaltar roads were not durable.