Govt concerned over 'yellow' Taj reports

The Times of India , Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Correspondent : Aditya Dev
Agra: Concerned over reports of 'yellowing' of the Taj Mahal, a parliamentary standing committee (PSC) on environment has given the local administration two months to find ways to reduce pollution level in the city.

A recent joint study conducted by IIT Kanpur in collaboration with two American universities - the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Wisconsin - has revealed that carbon particles from diesel vehicles, along with burning biomass, are causing the Taj to gradually turn yellow.

Taking cognizance of the report, the committee sought an explanation from the city's divisional commissioner Pradeep Bhatnagar, who had to travel to New Delhi over the weekend to give a presentation on steps taken by the civic body to curb air pollution.

During the meeting, the committee asked Bhatnagar, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and other concerned departments to sit together and jointly formulate a concrete policy in this regard.

Bhatnagar, who is also the chairman of Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) Authority, said, "The committee expressed concerns over the recent Indo-US study and asked us to find more ways to curb pollution levels. The PSC has asked us to submit a report within two months."

Earlier, PSC chairman and MP Ashwani Kumar underlined the need to hold a discussion on this issue. "When I read the report in the newspaper, I thought it was necessary to discuss this issue."

Kumar had further said a team would be sent to Agra, if the committee found it necessary.

The Agra district administration, on Thursday, ordered almost 4,000 diesel-run mini pick-up trucks operating in the city to convert to CNG by July this year. It has also banned with immediate effect the burning of cow dung cakes within city limits. Further, the Agra Municipal Corporation has been instructed to impose a fine of Rs 500 on those found burning garbage in the open.

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/Govt-concerned-over-yellow-Taj-reports/articleshow/45875227.cms
 


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