The Supreme Court directed Neeri to evaluate the nearby glass industry that affected the Taj Mahal. File | Image source: PTI
The Supreme Court directed the National Institute of Environmental Engineering (NEERI) to evaluate the nearby glass industry that affects the Taj Mahal of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday (April 22, 2025).
Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan directed Neeri to submit an affidavit to indicate the timeline for the evaluation to be completed.
The Supreme Court said all government agencies, including the Pollution Control Commission, should assist Neeri in the drills.
“We want to know the extent of pollution these industries are causing. If we find that these industries are causing pollution, we will order the transfer of these units without hesitation. Some inspections must be made on the level of pollution.”
The bench then directed the UP Pollution Control Commission to form a team of industries mentioned in the affidavit filed by the visiting country and to examine the pollution aspects of those industries.
“After completing research in five industries, the Pollution Control Commission should submit an interim report so that appropriate instructions can be issued.”
The Supreme Court had previously commissioned the Taj Mahal Party’s authority at and around the Taj Mahal’s Environmental Protection Agency (TTZ) to regret it, asking whether it was the preservation of the iconic monument “tamasha” (drama) or “joke”.
TTZ is an area of approximately 10,400 square kilometers distributed in the Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras and Etah areas of Uttar Pradesh and the Bharatpur areas of Rajasthan.
The Supreme Court has been monitoring the development of the region to protect the Taj Mahal built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his wife Mumtaz Mahal in Agra.
The ivory white marble tomb is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
publishing – April 22, 2025, 2:50 pm IST
