PTI

The Economic Times , Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Correspondent : Pollution
NEW DELHI: A parliamentary panel has voiced concern over industrial pollution in the Taj Trapezium Zone Authority area "adversely" affecting the Taj Mahal and said that it was "aghast" at the lack of administrative set up and budgetary allocation in the Zone.

The Taj Trapezium Zone Authority (TTZ) was set up to monitor progress of implementation of various schemes to protect the 17th century 'monument of love'.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology and Environment and Forest noted that increased vehicular traffic in Agra was becoming a huge source of pollution and was one of the factors adversely affecting the Taj Mahal.

It recommended that measures taken by the government to contain vehicular pollution should be strictly implemented to obviate any relaxation so that the beauty of Taj could be saved.

It also expressed "concern" over sources of industrial pollution in TTZ area, which it said was "adversely" affecting the Taj.

"The government should look into the allegation of illegal expansion of factories which are emitting NO2, sulphur and petro coke and do not comply with the pollution norms in violation of the orders of Supreme Court and take not only necessary punitive action but preventive measures too against such industries," the committee noted in its recommendation.

It also voiced concern over lack of administrative set up in the Zone.

"The committee is aghast to note that no administrative set up has been constituted for TTZ Authority and as such no mechanism is available to implement the decisions of the TTZ Authority.

"As admitted by the Authority, for all practical purposes, the Authority is not functioning optimally as it consists of only members with no supporting staff. Further no budget is allocated for proper functioning of the Authority," the committee chaired by former Union MinisterAshwani Kumar said.

The committee said that it was a loss to understand as to how the TTZ Authority created to monitor progress of the implementation of various schemes for protection of Taj Mahal and programmes for protection and improvement of the environment in the area has been functioning since 1999.

The committee has recommended that the Environment Ministry should provide necessary financial support, manpower and infrastructure to TTZ authority without any further delay so that it is able to effectively discharge its functions.

The panel said that concerned authorities should also ensure that air pollution control systems (APCS) are installed in these polluting units.

"The committee also recommends that the government should not only encourage the industries, including the 'petha' and bangle units, to shift to designated areas but also facilitate their efforts to shift to new places," the committee said in its report.

Noting that the degradation of Yamuna bed is evident and visible, the committee said that it is "unhappy" to note that not only the capacity of the sewerage plants were inadequate, but some parts of the plants were not functioning to their full capacity.

"The committee recommends that steps should be taken to strengthen the management of solid and liquid municipal waste infrastructure in Agra city. The committee also recommends that the concerned authorities should ensure that there is no dumping of solid or liquid waste from with the municipal limits of Agra into the Yamuna bed without requisite treatment," it said.

The committee noted that Taj Mahal is a symbol of India's national pride and heritage and a multi-pronged strategy is required to address the challenge of preserving its pristine beauty.

The committee recommended that all concerned central and state government agencies and the public at large should come together to work in coordination with each other to reduce pollution level in TTZ and ensure that the glory and beauty of Taj Mahal is restored not only for today but for years to come.

 
SOURCE : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/parliament-panel-concerned-over-pollution-in-taj-trapezium-zone/articleshow/48161118.cms?prtpage=1
 


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