SC orders demolition of parking lot at Taj

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stepped in to protect world heritage monument Taj Mahal by ordering demolition of a parking lot surrounding it.

A bench of Justices Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta passed the order on an application from environmentalist M.C. Mehta, who alleged that the UP government had not obtained necessary environmental clearances.

The bench directed Agra authorities to demolish within four weeks the parking lot for tourists which was being built within one kilometre of the eastern gate of the 17th century mausoleum.

When the matter came up for hearing on Tuesday , the top court asked about the presence of the counsel appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government. When it was informed that no advocate was present, the bench said the parking lot would be demolished.

Soon after the order was passed, Uttar Pradesh additional advocate general Aishwarya Bhati brought to the notice of the court that the demolition order was passed when the state counsel was not present and the application seeking permission for construction of a multi-level car parking lot was pending. At present, a two-storey parking lot exists near the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal. The bench told the counsel that the application has been dismissed for default (nonappearance of lawyer) and the state could file a fresh application for restoration, which would be considered.