The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the demolition of the parking lot being built around the Taj Mahal, PTI reported. The court said the facility could be an environmental hazard, a lawyer representing the Archaeological Survey of India said, according to ANI.
The bench gave the order after hearing a plea filed by environmentalist MC Mehta.
Justices MB Lokur and Deepak Gupta directed civic authorities in Agra to demolish the parking lot – meant for use by tourists – within four weeks. The court passed the order after hearing that no counsel for the Uttar Pradesh government was present on Tuesday.
Later, advocate Aishwarya Bhati, the standing counsel for the Uttar Pradesh government, mentioned the matter before the bench seeking a recall of the order. However, the Supreme Court asked her to move an appropriate restoration application in the case.
On August 2, the National Green Tribunal had directed the Uttar Pradesh government to demolish all illegal restaurants and eateries constructed by private firms near the Taj Mahal. The panel held that the ecology of the area surrounding the heritage site cannot be compromised, and urged the state government to organise a plantation drive around it.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath is set to visit the Taj Mahal on October 26.
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