Assess impact of heritage corridor on Taj, directs SC

Keeping in view the proximity of large sand embankments made on Yamuna river bank for the multi-crore heritage corridor to Taj Mahal, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the assessment of its impact on the Mughal monument by an independent agency.

UP government counsel Ajay Aggarwal assured a bench comprising Justice M.B. Shah and Justice Arun Kumar that till the impact assessment was done, it would stop further construction or reclamation of land on the river bank except for strengthening of the embankment. The bench asked Karagvasla-based Central Water Power Research Station to study the behaviour of the river and impact of the reclamation on Taj.