SC orders against any commercial activities within 500 meters of Taj Mahal

New Delhi, Sept 27: Supreme Court of India has directed the Agra Development Authority to immediately stop all commercial activities within a 500-metre radius from the peripheral wall of the iconic Taj Mahal. A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and AS Oka told the Agra Development Authority to ensure compliance with its order in relation to the 17th-century white marble mausoleum.

 

 

 

 

The order of the apex court came while hearing an application seeking direction to the authorities to prohibit commercial activities within the 500-metre radius of the historic mausoleum. In its order, the top court said, "We allow the prayer that reads-- Direct the Agra Development Authority to remove all business activities within 500 meters from the boundary / peripheral wall of the monument Taj Mahal which shall be in tune with Article 14 of the Constitution of India."

 

 

 

 

 

The 500m-radius of the monument is a no-construction zone, besides strict regulations on vehicular movement. There is also a ban on the burning of wood near the monument and municipal solid waste and agriculture waste in the entire area. The bench took on into the submissions of senior advocate ADN Rao, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae, that it would be in the interest of the protected monument to issue directions for barring all commercial activities near the Taj Mahal.

 

 

The application was filed by a group of shop owners who had been allotted an area outside the 500-metre radius to run their businesses. They told the court that illegal business activities are being carried out near the Taj Mahal which is in gross violation of the previous orders of the top court. Besides, the Taj Mahal is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.