ANNEXURE I

MONUMENT

CONCEPT PAPER ON TAJ PROTECTION MISSION

COHCCPT PflPCRc.\J PROTECTION MISSION

ByPrashantTrivedi, IASVice-Chairman, A.D.A. &

Member-ConvenerTaj Trapezium Zone Pollution

(Prevention & Control) Authority,Agra

CONTENTS

SL.NO.

1-

2-

3-

4-

5-

6-

7-

INDEX

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

Chapter -I - THE PROBLEMS

Chapter - II - THE INITIATIVE'

Chapter - III - THE TAJ PROTECTION MISSION

Chapter - IV - THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE

ANNEXURES

PAGE NO.

i

•

1-2

i2-16 i

!!

17-22 !t

23-48 IiI

49-56i

A - l

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

TTZ Taj Trapezium Zone

NEERI National Environmental Engineering Research Institute

CPCB Central Pollution Control Board

UPPCB Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board

TERI Tata Energy Research Institute

UNESCO United Nation Educational. Social & Cultural Organisation

SPM Suspended Particulate Matter

TSP Total Suspended Particulates

SO2 Sulphur Dioxide

NOX Oxides of Nitrogen

RTO Regional Transport Officer

NATPAC National Transportation Planning & Research Center

DG Sets Diesel Generating Sets

PCL Power Corporation Limited

LPG Liquid Petroleum Gas

STP Sewage Treatment Plant

YAP Yamuna Action Plan

APCD Air Pollution Control Device

CPHEEO Central Public Heath & Environmental Engineering Organisation

DPR Detailed Project Report

EFC Expenditure-Finance Committee

NOG No Objection Certificate

MM8 Mission Management Board

RCC Reinforced Cement Concrete

MUD Ministry of Urban Development

,MH National Highway

PV/D Public Works Department

MOEF

GOUP

GOI

CWG

NGO

KV

MVA

MLD

CWR

OHT

PLA

GSB

WMM

Lpcd

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Government of Uttar Pradesh

Government of India

Central Water Commission

Non Governmental Organisation

Kilo Volt

Mega Volt Ampere

Million Litres per Day

Clear Water Reservoir

Over Head Tank

Public Ledger Account

Granular Sub Base

Wet Mixed Macadam

Litres Per Capita Per Day

PREFACE

It had been desired for a very long time, that a Concept Paper on the Taj

Protection Mission be prepared which would document all the relevant aspects of

the efforts being undertaken to protect the Taj Mahal and other monuments in

Agra.

I am happy that Prashant Trivedi, the Vice-Chairman • of the Agra

Development Authority, who is also the Member-Convener of the Taj Trapezium

Zone Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority, has prepared such a document.

The Concept Paper describes the problems of the city of Agra and the

anxiety of the Hon'ble Supreme Court articulated in the various orders passed in

connection with the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 13381/84-M.C.Mehta Vs. Union of

India & Others. The Paper also goes on to describe the various projects of the

Taj Protection Mission. An attempt has also been made -to evaluate the present

achievements and some suggestions have also been made as to the 'direction of

the future efforts.

I am sure that the reader will find the Concept Paper extremely useful.

I would also like to compliment Prashant Trivedi, Vice-Chairman. Agra

Development Authority and his team of officers for their commendable effort in

compiling this document.

Sd/-

V.K. Sharrt.a. (ASCommissioner.Agra Division,

Agra

INTRODUCTIONf —•—•____^__M_«M«_iW^_^__

It is not often that the concept paper for a Mission is written when it is in

progress. Normally, it precedes the action phase and partially forms the basis for

project formulation.

This does not mean that there was no concept behind the Taj Protection

Mission. The sense of urgency that formed the backdrop of the efforts to protect

the Taj Mahal resulted in the projects being implemented without any further delay.

i' Originating as a result of the Writ Petition No. 13381/84-M.C.Mehta V/s the

Jnion of India & Others, the Taj Protection Mission refers to a group of projects

ntended to check the deterioration of the Taj Mahal on account of the

environmental pollution. The basic issues were discussed in the Hon'ble Supreme

ourt and most of the projept formulations were based on these discussions.

Studies of specialised agencies such as the NEERI, the Vardharajan

Committee, the CPCB and the UPPCB were taken note of by the Hon'ble Court.

It was felt however that a concept paper should be prepared which would

highlight the basic issues involved and outline the initiatives being taken by way of

the projects of the Taj Protection Mission.

I have, attempted to bring together all the aspects of the Taj Protection

Mission into this paper, namely, the problems of the environment vis-a-vis the Taj,

the concerns of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, the projects being implemented and

some basic suggestions.

As a word of caution, I would like to submit that this concept paper is very

elementary as I have gleaned information from various studies conducted by other

specialised agencies and have also drawn upon the collective experience of the

field agencies concerned with the project implementation.

. A more detailed understanding of the environmental dynamics and its

interaction with the developmental process of Agra would require specialised

treatment by a competent agency or a specialist such as the NEERI, TERI or the

CPCB.

Sd/-

(Prashant Trivedi)Vice-Chairman,

Agra Development Authority.Member-Convener.

TTZ Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority.

CHAPTER-I

THE PROBLEMS

\e city of Agra is well known for having been the capital of the Mughal

Empire, which flourished in the period between 1526 to 1707 A.D. It houses the

Taj Mahal, the world famous monument which is notified in the World Heritage list

of the UNESCO.

The city is beset with problems that plague just about any average city of

India, except that it has attracted attention and aroused concerns in context of the

environmental pressures on the Taj Mahal and other historical monuments in the

region.

Agra can be considered to be the focal point of the Taj Trapezium, which

represents an area of 10,400 sq.km. covering portions of Uttar Pradesh and

Rajasthan. It includes the twin cities of Mathura and Vrindavan and also the city of

Firozabad. In Rajasthan the notable area is the town of Bharatpur in which the

Keoladeo National Park is situated.

The city of Agra is spread over an area of 120 sq.km. and has a population

of about 1.2 million. This is projected to double by about 2031. On account of a

large influx of domestic and international tourist and also on account of a daily

influx of labour force from nearby areas, the city is estimated to have a floating

population of about 20,000. This constitutes a tremendous pressure on the city

infrastructure which has not been able to keep pace with the population growth.

Consequently, the pressure has spilled on to the environment.

An attempt to list the problems of city is made below but, in the final

analysis, it stems from the pressure of a fast growing population which engages in

economic and social activities to sustain itself often at the expense of the

environment on which it is dependant for its existence.

ENVIRONMENT

INPUT

The City• Household• Industries• Commercial• Institution• Agriculture

ENVIRONMENT

OUTPUT

FIG.-1

To understand better the problems that beset the city, it would help to

envisage it as a dynamic system that is interacting with its environment in order to

sustain its host population as is depicted in the Fig.-1. The interaction is two fold. It

draws resources from it in order to carry on the various socio-economic activities

and produces unavoidable wastes. The broader issue of sustainability would

analyse both these input and output processes in the context of the limitation, that

they should not exceed the regenerative and absorptive/assimilative capacities of

the relevant environment sector. Presently, however, we are confined to the output

i.e. the "waste" production. The terrri "waste" is being used with caution as the

latest thoughts in environmental economics tend to classify the conventional

wastes as resources, which should further be used for the production of goods and

services having utility. For the purpose of this paper, however, "waste" denotes

the conventional wastes having substantial resource value.

The city can be thought of as comprising of the household, industrial,

commercial, institutional and agriculture sectors. Each of these sectors produces

"waste". The environment is conventionally classified into air. water and land,

which receive the wastes as pollutants. There is lateral interaction, as pollution of

any part of the environment would have a spill over effect on the other.

It is now proposed to categorise the problems by grouping them into

categories based on the environmental components, which bears the brunt of the

pollution load.

A- AIR

We confine ourselves to the primary pollutants i.e. SPM, SO2 and NOX. The

National Ambient Air Quality Standards are as follows :—

Annual Average —

Industrial Residential Sensitive

SPM 360ug/m3 140 ug/m3 70 ug/m3

SO2 80 ug/m3 60 ug/m3 15 ug/m3

NOX 80 ug/m3 60 ug/m3 . 15 ug/m3

The entire TTZ has been notified as a sensitive zone irrespective of location

specific space use. Thus, even an industrial area in the TTZ would be required to

maintain an ambient air quality standards of a sensitive zone.

With respect to the -ambient air quality standards in the city, the data

relating to the lavel of primary pollutants has been obtained from the Regional

Office of the UPPCB and is graphically reproduced below. The readings have

been averaged on an annual basis >

SPM (ug/m3)

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

FIG.-2

so,

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

FIG.-3

NOK

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 20CO

FIG.-4

The annual average level of SO2 was as high as 21 ug/m3 in the year 1991,

as against a prescribed normative limit of 15 ug/m3 for sensitive area. In the year

2001, this has come down to 11 ng/m3. Similarly for NOX, the level in the year

1991 was 12 ug/m3. This has come down to a level of 10 ug/m3 in the year 2001.

N The SPM levels remains a cause of concern. As against the permissible

limit of 70 ug/m3, the ambient levels have remained well above 400 ug/m3. It would

be pertinent to point out that even the background levels of SPM assuming the

complete absence of industrial, vehicular and SPM emitting domestic activity,

would be above the prescribed levels of 70 ug/m3. These are due to certain natural

conditions that are prevailing in the vicinity such as :-

(I) proximity of the Thar desert in Rajasthan

(II) ' agricultural activity such as tilling, & ploughing and barren land

coupled with blowing winds generate SPM

(III) pollen of crops, and flowering plants contribute to the levels of SPM

(IV) The river Yamuna which reduces to a trickle in the lean season

exposes vast stretches of sand on its beds and banks which forms a

substantial source of SPM

(V) The low humidity prevalent in this region also promotes formation ofSPM.

Other than natural conditions, these pollutants are derived mainly from

energy sources and combustion activities. The sources can be classified into thefollowing categories :-

(i) Transport

(ii) Domestic

(iii) Industry

(iv) Power

The status with respect to the above sectors is as follows :-

(I) TRANSPORT

There is substantial pollution on account of the vehicular traffic. The numberof registered vehicles has shown an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. Thetable below shows the number and category of vehicle registered :•

7

Year

11994

X995

1996

1997

1998

1999

20002001

Car

29890

10418

11344

1255614162

157881849020890

Jeup

31766

1914

1841

844

1148

1349

1644

1920

Taxi

4

202

232

352

389

482

565

639

717

2 Wheeler

5

148210

158521

168179181110195455

211243226669245664

3 Wheeler

63454

3651

37544714

5462

8589967010512

Bus

7

973

1047

1181

1187

1257

1338

1396

1400

Truck

83183

3247

3418

45884680

473349255082

Others

921147

21670

203462169522514

•215312238323356

Total

10

188825

200700

210415227083245160

2651362858163C9541

Source : RTO Office

The demand in the transport sector is generated mainly from three sources.

• from the inhabitants of the city

• tourist influx

• inter city through traffic

The public transport system is inadequate and meets only 8% of the traveldemand (NATPAC). The Intermediate public transport system comprising of auto,a tempo and cycle rickshaw is a major mode of intra city movement. Thepersonalised mode comprising of cars and two wheelers have shown a markedincrease in recent years, as people are forced to use them due to the inadequacyof the public transport system.

Apart from an inadequate public transport system, there are several otherfactors, which cause traffic congestion. These are mainly :-"

(A) Choking of the capacity of the existing road network. The M.G. road is themain spinal road of the city from which other important roads fork out such asthese going to Bharatpur and Fatehpur-Sikri. The traffic between Gwalior andDelhi also has to pass through the city using the M.G.road. Similarly, trafficbetween Gwalior and Kanpur has to enter the city and go through using theYamuna Kinara Road. Thus, the existing network has to bear the load of intra city,inter city and tourist traffic and their capacity has been exceeded leading tocongestion, vehicular idling and pollution.

(B) Although the Agra Development Authority has developed a Transport Nagaron the Agra-Mathura Bypass, the transport agencies still continue to function fromthe Yamuna Kinara road leading to traffic hazards.

(C) The inter city bus terminal are operating from Bijlighar and Idgah, therein/.forcing the inter city buses to pass through the city.

It is estimated that for the district of Agra alone the emissions from thetransport sector are as follows :-

Year 1995-96

4,683 tonnes/year

501 tonnes/year

836 tonnes/year

(II) DOMESTIC SECTOR

NO,

SO2

TSP

Another major source of emission of the primary pollutants is the domesticsectors. The proportion of population consuming various types of cooking fuelshas been enumerated in the census of India 1991. This is as follows :-

District

AGRA Rural

Urban

Wood

68.9

41.1

Dung

28.7

8.5

Coal/Coke

0.1

7.1

Charcoal

0.4

5.0

Cooking gas

0.4

30.2

Kerosene

0.1

5.7

Others

1.2

1.3

Data on per capita consumption of cooking fuels is available, on the basisof which the emission from the domestic sector has been estimated as follows .-

NOX 71 tonnes/year

SO2 not significant

TSP 4,469 tonnes/yearV

The domestic sectors also releases pollutants on account of the use of DG

sets to meet the power deficit. This shall be dealt with separately.

(Ill) INDUSTRIES

The major groups of industrial units, which are air-polluting, is,as follows >

(i) FOUNDRIES (Agra)

(ii) GLASS MANUFACTURING (Firozabad)

(iii) BRICK KILNS (TTZ)

(iv) MATHURA REFINERY

There are about 136 cast iron foundries in Agra. Although, efforts are on to

technologically restructure their operations by basing them on gas, most of them

still continue to use coal for their manufacturing process. The Mathura refinery is

also a source of SO2 emissions. The total emission load has been estimated as

follows :-

Tonnes/year«

District Industry SPM SOj NOx

Agra Foundry 119 5

Mathura Refinery 718 3418 ' 1021

Firozabad « Glass , 270 711 830

Manufacturing

Total 1107 4134 1851

(IV) POWER

The power sector has a direct bearing an air pollution. Due to the deficit in

the power supply, the domestic, commercial and industrial users resort to the use

of Diesel Generating sets to bridge the demand supply gap. It is estimated that

there are around 30.000 DG sets in operation in the city.

10

There is a peak load demand in the city of 280 MVA. There is no local

•generation of power (except for the DG set operation). Power is "imported"

through the transmission system. The table summarises the transmissioncapacities available.

SU8-STN. TRANSMISSION INSTALLED EXPORT TOLEVEL

400 KV

220 KV

132KV

33 KV

RATIO

400/220

220/132

132/33

33/11

CAPACITY OUTSIDEAREA

980 MVA 180 MVA

(to Rajasthan)

500 MVA

360 MVA 80 MVA

(to rural)

300 MVA

NETAVAILABLE

800 MVA

500 MVA

280 MVA

300 MVA

The power demand of the various categories of consumers is summarisedin the table below:-

SI.No.

11-

2-

3-

4-

5-

6-

7-

8-

9-

Category

2Domestic(LFJLMV-1Commercial

•(LF.)IWV-ISmall &MediumPower LMV-5la<.je &Heavy HV-2JPublic UgMLMV-3Water Woru

S.T.W.

P.T.W.

Wy. Traction

i"

UDO-I

Noi.

3

21490

1630?

709

3

3

4

-

-

-

JJJ1J

CanntcedtortJikW

4

16375 "

1U3J

3159

912

1352

460

-

-

-

4«S9«

UOO-li

NCJ.

525494

3242

jy

20

4

•

2

-

34SJJ

CcwieCrtkMdnkW

6

4525

2S43J

10713

3«6

540

5<5

106

-

-

»ia

UDD-III

Nci

7

3342S

5152

1?23

9?

7

10

-

39

ConntCKlkjJfl n rtV

a61979

11199

27904

16655

4COO

2462

-

247

' | *

40CUJ I24U4

UDO-IV

Nci.

93J3C2

5736

570

11

4

J

1

457

-

15CW

CannsCM'CJd A V.V

10479:9

30133

5325

2047

750

<J6

:o

<rjfl

-

JJ4J7

UDD-V

.Vcs.

11

327!o

4320

5™

5

2

i

-

-

'

M!32

'cj: n tfV

12UC53

7JJ:

i:CC

;:o

•51

O5

-

-

JiO

55C-3

UDC

NCJ.

13

I5i:3i

4C257

4375

i;s

25

22

3

<«

Cc."fCM'C« ,1 i'.V

u2153J1

J4S-3 !

•••'''

237=0

;:a

4372

::s i

UJ77 :

! j JfJt

15<4«« 4iy:j

11

It is evident that for the city of Agra at the 132 KV level there is a net

transformation capacity available of 280 MVA. This is just equal to the peak load

demand and this is indeed a very tight fit. Normally, as per the norms of the PCL,

the substations should be loaded upto a level of 70% of the installed capacity. At

the same time there is no buffer supply to cater to the growth in demand. The

power demand is growing at the rate of 13% per annum and by the year 2010 itwould be about 560 MVA.

The distribution system is extremely weak and results in frequent

breakdowns. At the best of times, there would be a supply gap of two hours(average).

Due to a lack of availability of sufficient and assured power supply, there issubstantial operation of the DG sets.

The annual emissions of primary pollutants on account of DG sets areestimated as follows :-

SPM 255 tonnes/year

SO2 1776 tonnes/year

NOX 3567 tonnes/year

The proportional emissions of primary pollutants from various sectors canbe summarised as follows :-

12

(I) TSP/SPM

TSP

; a Transport!«DG sets;O IndustryQOomestig

Domestic81%

(II) S02

S02

Industry62!

Q Transport

• OG sets

O Industry

(Ill) NOx .

NO..

OG s«ti

: B Transport• • OG sets ji!D Industry i

•Q Domestic

Thus, it is evident that a$ regards the SPM, 81% of the total emissions

emanates from the domestic sectors due to the use of biomass as a cooking fuel

by the rural and urban population. This has major policy implications for the supply

of subsidised LPG and kerosene oii to the masses so as to prevent the use of

biomass.*

As regards SO2, 62% of the emissions is generated by the industrial sector

and 27% on account of the DG set operations. The transport sector is the major

source of NOX emissions.

B- WATER

Pollution of water bodies is a result of the generation of city sewage and^

industrial effluents and an inadequate infrastructural capacity to collect and treat

the same.

The city has a very poor sewerage cover. Only 20% of the city population

is covered by a sewerage system comprising of 20 km. of trunk sewer lines and

120 km. of branch sewer lines. Mostly, the residents have their ov/n soak pits or

are discharging the sewage into local ponds.

The drainage cover of the city is also extremely poor. Topographically the

city can be divided into seven drainage districts.

U

Area

"I) CITY DRAINAGE DISTRICT 1347

ii) WESTERN " " • 1320

iii) SOUTH " " 526

'iv) ' SOUTHERN " " 664

v) TAJGANJ " " 985

vi) NORTHERN " " 415

vii) TRANS YAMUNA " " 850

Total Area 6107

Drainage Cover

1347

470

185

80

310

90

572

3054

Thus, out of a total area of 6107 ha , only 3054 ha. has drainage cover.

Before the commissioning of the STP at Dhandhpura under the YAP, the

sewage was being pumped by a network of sewage pumping stations into sewage

farms without any treatment.

But now a sewage treatment plant of a capacity of 78 MLD has been

commissioned in the CIS YAMUNA area near Dhandhupura under the YAP. The

Trans Yamuna side of the city is mainly an industrial area wherein several small

and medium scale industries are operating. Many of those industries are

discharging their wastewater directly into the drainage without any pre-treatment.

Now a STP of 10 MLD has been commissioned in Trans Yamuna area near Pila

Khar under YAP for tapping sullage from open drains.

The system of the management of solid waste generated in a city has

implications for the pollution of land surface as also the water bodies and ground

water. Presently, the population of Agra city is about 1.2 million. Due to the daily

influx of tourist and labor force from nearby towns, the daily floating population is

estimated to be about 20,000 persons. Assuming a daily per capita waste

generation of 503 gms.. the total waste generation of the city is about 620 tonnes.

On the industrial side, the Petha manufacturing units are generating considerable

amounts of organic waste, which is getting, mixed with municipal waste.

15

The solid waste management of the city is the responsibility of the

Municipal Corporation. There are several deficiencies, some infrastructural and

others relating to management capacities. The local storage of waste is done in

iron bins of various capacities and dalao ghars (masonry structure). This capacity

is inadequate. As against a requirement of 3000 m3 , the availability is only 2300

m3. Consequently, waste is dumped outside the bins. There is no system of house

to house collection, which, results in people throwing their wastes into the streets,

or some unoccupied land or into the drains. There is no primary segregation of

waste into recyclable and compostable and inert categories. The transportation

capacity of the corporation is also not sufficient. The trenching ground at Shahadra

is presently full and the waste, which is being dumped, is spilling on to road side.

There is no system for recycling and composting which is resulting in a waste of

resources. Practices relating to dumping at the landfill site are not scientific. There

is no system of compacting the waste and covering it with inert material. As a

result of which, there is foul smell, and the presence of rodents, pests and birds.

There are also several unrecognised dumpsites in the city. Sweepers also often

resort to open burning of the wastes.

16

THE INITIATIVE

The problems facing the city of Agra, plagues just about any average city ofthe state. But what sets it apart is the fact that it is home to the most beautifulmonument of the "world", the Taj Mahal. Built in the 17th century by Shah Jahan,the Mughal Emperor, in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, it is the mostimportant tourist destination of India attracting about 2.4 million tourists annually.

•>Concerns regarding the environmental threat to this monument was voiced

in the Hon'ble Supreme Court through a Public Interest Litigation filed by the noted"Green" Advocate Mr. M.C.Mehta. The Writ Petition No. 13381/84-M.C.Mental V/sUnion of India & others raised several issues pertaining to the environmentalpressures on the monument as well as the socio-economic and physicalconditions of the city.

In this chapter, it is proposed to list a sample of observations of the Hon'bleSupreme Court, as also the findings of the various, expert committees in thisregard. For this would provide a vital insight into the concepts which guided theformulation of the Taj Protection Mission.

The concern regarding the environmental threat to the Taj has beenarticulated in the landmark judgement of Hon'ble Justice Shri Kuldeep Singh dated30/12/96, and is as follows :-

A- "The Taj is threatened with deterioration and damage not only by thetraditional causes of decay, but also by the changing social and economicconditions which aggravate the situation with even more formidablephenomena of damage and destruction."

This judgement also provides the conceptual underpinnings for the TajProtection Mission. Relevant-extracts from it are reproduced below :-

B- "According to the petitioner, the foundries, chemical/hazardous industriesand the refiner/ at Mathura are the major sources of damage to the Taj.The sulphurdioxide emitted by the Mathura Refinery and the industrieswhen combined with oxygen - with aid of moisture - in the atmosphereforms sulphuric acid called "Acid rain" which has a corroding effect on thegleaming white marble. Industrial/Refinery emissions, brick-kilns, vehiculartraffic and generator sets are primarily responsible for polluting the ambientair around the Taj Trapezium (1TZ). The petition states that the whitemarble has yellowed and blackened in places."

17

The judgement also quoted some of the findings of the Vardharajan

• Committee Report titled as "The Report on the Environmental Impact of Mathura

Refinery". One of them is given below :-

C- "There is substantial level of pollution of sulphur dioxide and particulate

matter in the Agra region. The possible sources are all coal users consisting

of two power plants, a number of small industries mainly foundries

i (approximately 250) and a Railway Shunting Yard. As far as suspended

particulate matters are concerned, because of use of coal, contribution will

be substantial. Even though the total amount of emission of sulphur dioxide

from these sources may be small, on account of their proximity to the

monuments, their contribution to the air quality of the zone will be

considerably high."

With respect to the Mathura refinery the judgement directed that the

recommendations of the NEERI be complied with. These were mainly :-

a) Use of natural gas

b) Improved Sulphur recovery unit

c) Setting up of a Hydro cracking unit

d) Chemo and biochemical sulphur recovery

e) Setting up of a green belt around the refinery

D- "The^Central Board for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution, New

Delhi, published a report (Control of Urban Pollution Series CUPS/7/1981-

82) under the title "Inventory and Assessment of Pollution Emission in and

around Agra-Mathura Region (Abridged)". The relevant findings are as

under:- «iX

Industrial activities which are in operation in Agra city and its

outskirts could be categorised as (i) Ferrous Metal Casting using Cupolas

(Foundry); (ii) Ferro-alloy and Non-Ferrous Castings using Crucibles,

Rotary Furnaces etc. iii) Rubber Processing; (iv) Lime Oxidation andN

Pulverising; (v) Engineering; (vi) Chemical; and (vii) Brick and Refractory

Kilns (Table 4-1) The contribution of sulphur dioxide

through emission primarily from the combustion from the fuels comprising

hard coke, steam coal, wood and fuel oil is estimated as 3.64 tonnes per

day from industrial activities in the Agra city and its outskirts (Table 5-3).

18

The vehicular contribution as estimated from traffic census in 6 road

crossings is only 65 kg. a day or 0.065 tonnes a day and should beconsidered negligible for the present (Para 7.4)."

As regards other industries in the TTZ the judgement directed as follows :-

E- "Based on the reports of various technical authorities mentioned in this

judgement,* we have already reached the finding that the emissions

generated by the coke/coal consuming industrial units emit pollutants and

have damaging effect on the Taj and the people living in the TTZ. The

atmospheric pollution in TTZ has to be eliminated at any cqst. Not even onet

per cent chance can be taken when - human life apart - the preservation of

a prestigious monument like the Taj is involved. In any case, in view of the*precautionary principle as defined by this Court, the environmental

measures must anticipate, prevent and attack the causes of environmental

degradation. The 'onus of proof is on an industry to show that its operation

with the aid of coke/coal is environmentally benign. It is, rather, proved

beyond doubt that the emissions generated by the use of coke/coal by the

industries in TTZ are the main polluters of the ambient air.

We, therefore, hold that the above-mentioned 292 industries shall as

per the schedule indicated hereunder change-over to the natural gas as an

industrial fuel. The industries, which are not in a position to obtain gas

connections - for any reason - shall stop functioning with the aid of coke/

coal in the TTZ and may relocate themselves."

With respect to the Brick Kilns, the Hon'ble Supre'me Court in its order

dated May 10, 1996 has ordered that "(i) All licenced brick kilns within 20 km.

radial distance from the Taj Mahal, other significant monuments & Bharatpur bird

sanctuary shall be closed and stop operating w.e.f. 15/8/96. Court directed the

State Govt. to render all possible assistance to licence brick kiln owners in

relocation beyond TTZ if owner so desire. The closure order is however

unconditional, (ii) Court directs the DM & SSP to close all unlicenced &»

unauthorized brick kilns operating in the TTZ with immediate effect. UPPCB shall* file a compliance report within 2 months, (Hi) No new licence shall be issued for theJ. . establishment of brick kiln within 20 km. radial distance from the Taj Mahal other

| monuments in TTZ & Bharatpur bird sanctuary".

i| ' 19

I

I

F- The Court in its judgement dated 30 December. 1996 spelt out the

following issues that it would monitor in order to control air pollution in TTZ

as follows :-

"This Court is separately monitoring the following issues for controlling air

pollution in TTZ :-

a) The setting up of hydrocracker unit and various other devices by the

Mathura Refinery.

b) The setting up of 50 bed hospital and two mobile dispensaries by the

Mathura Refinery to provide medical aid to the people living in the

surrounding areas (Court order dated Augsut 7, 1996).

c) Construction of Agra bypass to divert all the traffic, which passes

through the city. Under directions of this Court, 24 kms. stretch of the

bypass shall be completed by the end of December 1996 (Court order

dated April 10, 1996).<•

d) Additional amount of Rs. 54 Cr. sanctioned by the Planning Commission

to be utilised by the State Government for the construction of electricity

supply projects to ensure 100 per cent uninterrupted electricity to the

TTZ. This is necessary to stop the operation of generating sets which

are major source of air pollution in the TTZ (Court orders dated April 10,

1996. May 10, 1996, August 30, 1996, September 4, 1996 and

^September 10, 1996).

e) The construction erf Gokul Barrage, Water Supply works of Gokul

Barrage, roads around Gokul Barrage, Agra Barrage and Water Supply

of Agra Barrage, have also been undertaken on a time schedule basis to

supply drinking water to the residents of Agra and to bring life into river

Yamuna which is next to the Taj (Court order dated May 10. 19§6 and

August 30. 1996).

f) Green belt as recommended by NEERI has been set up around the Taj.

Pursuant to continuous monitoring of this Court, the Green belt has

become a reality.

g) This Court suggested to the Planning Commission by order dated

September 4. 1996 to consider sanctioning separate allocation for the

city of Agra and the creation of separate cell under the control of Central

20

Government to safeguard and preserve the Taj. the city of Agra andother national heritage monuments in the TTZ.

h) All emporia and shops functioning within the Taj premises have beendirected to be closed.

i) Directions have been issued to the Government of India to decide the

issue, pertaining to declaration of Agra as a heritage city within twomonths."

G- The Court has also directed in its order dated 4/2/98 that no pollutingvehicles of visitors and tourists should be allowed within 500 metres of the

monument. It also directed the Agra Development Authority to construct a parkingcomplex beyond 500 metres on the Western side.

The Court in its order dated 10/11/95 has also made the followingobservation regarding the construction of a Slaughter House :-

H- "The . construction of Slaughter House at Agra is most important forenvironmental protection, pollution control and tourism purpose. The Taj

Mahal at Agra attracts large number of tourists every year. The city has tobe kept clean and pollution free. We are of the view that the construction of

Slaughter House at Agra has to be taken up separately and with utmost

urgency. Top priority should be given to this project."

Rega/ding the need for a bypass to eare the problem of traffic congestion

and reduce vehicular pollution the Hon'ble Court in its order dated 1/3/1996

directed as follows :-

I- "It has been brought to our notice that about 14,000 trucks carrying about

64,000 tonnes of weight pass through the city of Agra every day. Accordingto the experts, the passage of such a large number of trucks through the

city of Agra every day causes huge lot of pollution. 'It has been suggestedby various authorities including the Agra Heritage Project that it is of utmost

urgency that a bypass be constructed for diverting the traffic from the city ofAgra "

"If this part of the bypass is constructed, almost 50% of the traffic can be

diverted "

"We are of the view that the above mentioned part of bypass should becompleted within six months "

21

' J- In its order dated 4/9/1998 the Court accepted the report jointly submitted

by the NEERI and the CPCB which inter-allia mentioned that "considering the

prevailing unhygienic conditions in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal due to Tajganj

drain in particular, and the entire city of Agra in general, it is recommended thatK

the city should be provided with scientifically designed, constructed and operated

sewerage system with high priority due to its international significance as a tourist

centre. The design will ensure that no pumping station is located within 500 m.

area of the Taj Mahal."

K- Regarding the parking of vehicles on the Western side of the Taj the Court

in its order dated 7/12/1998 stated "we directed the existing parking site at the

Western gate of the Taj Mahal shall be closed and alternative parking site shall be

developed at Amrood-Ka-Teela, as suggested by the Sub-Committee, as the

alternative site would be beyond 500 metres of the Taj Mahal. Since the

development of alternative site will take some time, we directed that the existing

site will be used for parking of vehicles for another 6 months. Thereafter, it shall be

closed.">

It is evident that the Hon'ble Supreme Court has passed several orders

pertaining to almost every aspects of the Taj Mahal and its inter-relatedness with

» the environment and the city of Agra. The above extracts from the various

judgements are intended only to explain the focus of the Taj Protection Mission.

22

CHAPTER - II!THE TAJ PROTECTION MISSION

In the previous chapter certain extracts from the various orders of theHon'ble Supreme Court have been quoted with a view to highlight the basicissues.

The efforts that were required to be taken can be categorised as follows :-

I) REGULATORY or ENFORCEMENT MEASURES

I!) DEVELOPMENTAL MEASURES

Under the regulatory measures, the Court directed the agencies concernedto taken certain action relating to pollution control. These actions were either of a"end of the pipe treatment" approach such as installation of APCD (Air PollutionControl Device) by the industries, brick kilns and the Mathura Refinery, or even achange of technology as in the case of the iron foundries and the glassmanufacturing units.

The Court has also directed that certain development initiatives be taken inorder to improve the environmental condition of the city. The Court had made thefollowing suggestion so as to make funds available in its order dated 4/9/96 >

"We have suggested to Mr.K.M.Lal that the Planning Commission shouldconsider having a separate planned allocation for the environmental protection ofthe Taj Mahal which is a world heritage and one of the wonders of the world. Lot ofmoney is required to protect the environment, save the Taj from pollution and forthe growth of tourism. For this purpose, it would "be advisable that a separateallocation should be made which should be utilised under the supervision of theCentral Government. Even a special cell can be created to look after the TajMahal. This is only a suggestion for the consideration of the Planning Commissionand the Government of Iridia.

This was the beginning of the Taj Protection Mission, which had thefollowing objectives :-

• environmental protection of the Taj

• improving the levels of sanitation and the physical condition of life in thecity

• promote the growth of tourism.

These objectives have guided the formulation of the projects of the TajProtection Mission and should be the criteria to judge its relevance.

It was also agreed in the Planning Commission that the CentralGovernment shall consider an allocation of Rs.300 Cr. during the Ninth Plan on afifty-fifty percent matching basis with State Govt. to cover the estimated cost ofRs.600 Cr. to implement the scheme for the protection of the Taj.

23

At the time of writing of the concept paper, the following projects are in theprocess of implementation :-

FOCUS AREA Rs. in Crores

V

«

A

B

BASIC GOAL

1

Improvement ofthe levels of sani-tation & physicalconditions of life

EnvironmentalProtection

DEPARTMENT

2

JAL NIGAM

NAGAR NIGAMIRRIGATION

P.W.O.

A.O.A.

U.P.P.C.L.

FOREST

CPCB

SL. NO

3

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8'

9

10

11

12

1314

15

16

PROJECTS APPROVED MM8 & GOI (EFC]

4

Water Supply Agra(i) Water Supply Mathura-Vrindavan (Phase 1 & II)(ii) Water Supply Mathura-Vrindavan (Phase-Ill)[MM8]

TOTAL (i & ii)Agra SewerageStorm Water Drainage System Agra-(i) Jal Nigarii(ii) Nagar Nigam

TOTAL (i & iiSUB-TOTAL

Solid Waste ManagementGokul BarrageAgra Barrage

SU8-TOTAL-Construction of One Part of Agra Southern Bypass(MM8)mprovement of 20 Agra City Roads

SUB-TOTAL-Widening of Agra Byepassmprovement of Master Plan Roads of Agra Citymprovement of Parking on Western Gate of Taj

SUB-TOTAL-mprovement of Electric Supply in Agramprovement of Electric Supply in the rural areas

of Agra & Fatehpur-SikriSUB-TOTAL-

i) Plantation "ii) Maintenance of Plantation (MMB]

SUB-TOTAL-

Set up of 4 Monitoring Station [MMB]GRAND-TOTAL

COST

5

72.8042.0019.69

61.6943.57

5.650.956.60

184.667.49

30.70120.47151.1726.51

27.4753.580.7622.970.94

24.67.9.1139.09

48.209.432.3811.81

0.71482.69

Promotion of tourism is an implicit goal and need not be taken up as an exclusive

head.

2-1

As was required by the Planning Commission, the Government of U.P. has•constituted a Mission Management Board on 9th May, 1997 for overseeing theimplementation, and for monitoring and reviewing the various programmes/schemes formulated for the protection of the Taj Mahal. The constitution of theMission Management Board is as under :-

1. v Chief Secretary , Govt Of U.P. Chairman

2. Finance Secretary , Govt. of U.P. Member

3. Commissioner, Agra Division, Govt. of U.P. Member

4. • Secretary (Power), Govt. of U.P. Member

5. Secretary ( Environment & Forests), Govt. of U.P Member

6. Representative of Ministry of Environment & Forests. Member

7. Representative of Ministry of Power. Member

8. 'Representative of Ministry of Urban Development. Member

9. Representative of Planning Commission. Member

10. Representative of Ministry of Surface Transport. Member

11. Representative of Ministry of Water Resources. Member

At the divisional level the implementation is over seen and co-ordinated by

the TTZ Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority, which was constituted by the

Ministry of Environment & Forests vide Notification No. 258, dated May 18. 1999

and having the following composition :-

1. Commissioner, Agra Division

2. Chairman, Uttar. Pradesh State Pollution Control

Board

3. Deputy Inspector General of Police, Agra Range

4. Member-Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board

5. A representative of the Ministry of Petroleum and

Natural Gas

6. A representative of Ministry of Environment and

Forests

7. A representative of Archaeological Survey of India

8. . Vice-Chairman, Agra Development Authority

Chairman

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member-Convener

A-

A brief description of the projects is a follows :-

WATER SUPPLY AGRA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

As per the 1991 census the population of Agra was 9.48 lacs. Presently it isestimated to be about 12 lacs. At the end of the design period i.e. 2031, it isprojected to be 24 lacs.

Agra City has been divided into 25 water supply zones. 15 zones aredeveloped and are covered by a piped water supply system. The remaining 10zones are undeveloped.

As per CPHEEO norms the requirement of water is estimated to be 150Ipcd. Hence by the year 2031 the total demand of water will be 473 MLD. Theproject has been formulated to develop an efficient distribution system for water infor whole of the Agra City. The project components are as follows :—

S.No. NarteofWork Quantity of Work Approved cost(Rs. in lacs)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6. .

7 "

Laying of Distrbn.System 25 zones

Ground LevelReservoir

O.H.T

Pump House

Zonal PumpingPlants

Rising. Mains

HeadWork PumpingPlants & Power Conn.

600 km (Appro.)

10 No.•

15 No.

8 No.

60 zonal42 No.

4 No.

Job

1808.34

217.76

1767.00

25.00

604.15

1329.49

185.00

8 Repair of Zonal 4 No.Ground level Reservoir

9. Renovation of works in water jobWorks i.e. Pump house, wasteWater drain e.t.c supply ofNew T& P

100.00

161.26

26

10. Land Acqn. 8 Nos. 480.00

Total 6678.35

Contingencies 2% 133.57

6811.92

* Less 5 % for work effecting .340.59

Total 6471.33

Centage12.5% 808.92

Total ^ 7280.25

PRESENT STATUS

The above project has been cleared by the EFC for Rs.72.80 crores. 31Detailed Projects worth Rs,73.73 crores had been cleared and works are underprogress.

Remaining 4 DPR have been prepared and are under appraised.

Rs.46.50 crores have been released and about Rs.41.30 crores have beenspent. The physical progress is as follows :—

1. 192 Km. of .pipe line has been laid in 19 zones namely Hariparwat,

Ghatwasan-l,H, Lohamandi, Kotwali, Tajganj-I, Shahganj-l.lll, Bodla-l.ll &

III, Rakabganj, Mafthan, Chhata, Khandari, Dayalbagh, Sikandra-l &

Bundukatra.

2. 2 Nos. filter beds'of W.W.I have been repaired and ready to use.

3. Repairing & rehabilitation works in W.W.I, such as wastewater drain, pump

houses etc. have been completed.

4. All the pumping plants of 11 old zones have been replaced.

5. Construction of Service reservoirs of Shahganj-l, Shahganj-lll and Tajganj-i

and Swami Bagh Dayal Bagh zones have been completed.

6. . Repair of CWR of Kotwali, Sikandra and Khandari have been completed.

7. Trunk rising mains in a length of 17.14 Km. from water works I & II to zonal

pumping stations have been laid.

8. OHT of Kotwali, Shahganj-lll, Bundukatra, Bodla-l! have been completed.

27

B- WATER SUPPLY MATHRA-VRINDAVAN

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Mathura-Vrindavan water supply reorganization scheme project hasbeen prepared in three phases i.e. Intake works, zonal reservoirs, feeder main anddistribution system. The population of Mathura and Vrindavan town is 2,26,157and 47,720 respectively as per 1991 census. It is projected to be 4,92,000 and1,20,000 in the year 2021. Rate of water supply has been taken as 150 Ipcd as perCHPEEO manual. Accordingly total requirement of clear water will be 91.80 MLD.

Estimates of works of phase I, if & III have been prepared amounting toRs. 1236.71 lacs, Rs.4336 lacs and Rs.2665 lacs respectively. Out of which stateEFC has approved the works of Rs. 1236.71 lacs, Rs.2669.78 lacs and Rs.1969lacs. Treatment plant of 101 MLD and 4500 KL Storage Reservoir will beconstructed in phase I. Feeder main from treatment plant to Mathura & Vrindavantown and zonal reservoirs & pumping stations will be constructed in phase-ll.Distribution system reorganisation is proposed in Phase-Ill.

The construction works of Intake well and clear water reservoir of 4500 KLhas been completed. The construction work of 101 MLD Water Treatment Plant isin progress and 2 filter beds are under trial run. Feeder main has been laid & is inprogress. Ground Level reservoirs of Bhuteshwar, Mukharjee Park, Jawahar Bag,Jai Singh Pura & Dampier Nagar area are under construction. Installation work ofraw water pumping plants at intake well and clear water pumping plant at 2 clearwater CWR/Pump House is completed. Power has been made available byU.P.P.C.L. Four Tubewells have also been constructed in Laxminagar locality,which is presently a tubewell zone. Partial benefits of these works will be availableto public by December, 2001. In Phase-Ill, work is in-progress in Jawahar Bagh,Bhuteshwar & Laxmi Nagar area of Mathura, which are named as zone-l, IV & IX.In these 3 zones 45 km. pipe line has been laid out of total 412 km. long pipe lineproposed in all the 14 zones of Mathura & Vrindavan towns.

Rs.44.32 crores have been released and about Rs.33.70 crores have beenspent.

*Estimate Approved by EFC

Phase-! - Rs.1621 lacs. Rs.1236.71 lacs

Phase-ll - Rs.4336 lacs Rs.2669.78 lacs

Phase-Ill - Rs.2665 lacs Rs. 1969.00 lacs

23

C- STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

JAL NIGAM

Agra Drainage

v EFC has sanctioned the construction of the following four new drains :—

COST Physical Progress(Rs.in Crores) (in %)

1. Nawal Ganj in Trans 2.54 DPR cost Rs.64.17 lacs. 100%Yamuna Area Approved by CPHEEO.

2. Bheem Nagar

3. Sikandra

4. Mustafa Quarterto Namner Nala

Total cost of project

Total expenditure incurred is

NAGAR NIGAM

0.41 DPR cost Rs.57.95 lacs 100%Approved by CPHEEO.

0.77 DPR cost Rs.70.34 lacs 100%Approved by CPHEEO.

1.93 Gravity flow not possible. -Hence, provisions of pumpingis being included. Constructionof sump well & drains have beenstarted.

Rs. 5.65 crores

Rs. 2.20 crores.

EFC has also cleared the proposal for cleaning the following drains by theNagar Nigam :-

COST Physical Progress(Rs.in Crores) (in %)

1. Paliwal Park2. Mantola3. Bhairon4. ' Taj East Gate

5.92 Work has been completed. 100%31.27 Desilting work is in progress. 72%1.33 Work has been completed. 100%56.10 Work is in progress. Revised , 97%

project of Rs. 131.16 lacsapproved by MMB.

The above projects have been cleaied for Rs. 94.62 lacs

Hence the total cost of the project for the storm water drainage is Rs. 6.60

crores. Rs. 6.60 crores has been released and Rs. 2.88 crores spent.

29

D- SOLiD WASTE MANAGEMENT

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

To improve the solid waste management system in the city projects worth

Rs. 7.49 crores have been approved by the EFC. The funds have been released

to the Nagar Nigam.

The project proposes to procure equipments such as dumper placers,

wheel dozer, excavator loader, wheel barrows, tipping carts, and mud/sullage

pumps. Some works of civil construction have also been included such as the

construction of workshop shed and purchase'of workshop equipment.

Two trenching grounds are proposed to be made after acquiring suitable

lands. The land at Naraich is already in possession of Nagar Nigam and

boundry/fencing work has started.

Twenty community latrines and RCC platforms for placement of dumper

placer bins have been proposed.

PRESENT STATUS

Rs. 7.49 crores has been released and the expenditure reported till end of

October, 2001 is Rs. 7.43 crores.\d has been acquired at Naraich for the development a new trenching

ground. The land identified at Karbhana was fundable unsuitable, therefore

another land is being selected near the Gwalior road.

All the vehicles and implements for containerised handling of solid waste

have been purchased and nine out of ten covered tipper trucks have been

procured.

The implements for primary collection of wastes have been procured. A

new workshop shed has been constructed at Transport Nagar for maintenance

and upkeep of waste handling vehicles.

Eight sullage/mud pumps have been procured. 133 Nos. RCC platforms

have been constructed in various parts of the city for the placement of Dumper

Placer bins.

90% construction of community latrines is complete.

30

E- GQKUL BARRAGEPROJECT DESCRIPTION

The projec; began in 1990 and the estimates prepared on the basis of 1988prices were of Rs. 29.75 crores. Based on 1998 prices, the estimated cost of theproject is Rs. 93.64 crores. EFC has approved it for Rs.92.20 crores. Out of whichthe Vvorks component is about Rs. 82.98 crores. Rs. 61.50 crores were releasedby MUD and Rs.30.70 crores had been proposed to provide as a part of the TTZ.The entire amount has been released.

T»

The Barrage has been constructed on the river Yamuna near MurlidharGhat in Mathura. The submergence area of this Barrage is 25900 Sq. Km. and it isdesigned for a flood discharge at 9500 cusec. The proposed pond level is RL1.65.00 Mt. The net storage capacity is 13017 acre feet.

PRESENT STATUS

' Rs.30.70 crores has been released as a part of the TTZ scheme.Expenditure incurred is Rs.21.64 crores. The project is now complete &commissioned.

F- CONSTRUCTION OF ONE PART OF AGRA BYPASS

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Runakta

DELHI

NH2 KANPUR

4.1 Km.

KirawaliNH11

To Jaipur NH3To Gwalicr

Canal Road

Proposed Parallel Bypass Rcac

31

The southern bypass takes off from NH-2 at Runakta and proceeds alongthe Kirawali road for as abqut 4.1 Km. It then runs along the canal for about 19.9Km., cutting NH-11 and joining NH-3. The bypass thus seeks to bypass thevehicular traffic between Gwalior and Delhi.

This project has been cleared by the EFC for Rs. 10.65 crores. The workhas been taken up in a two phase manner. In the first phase, the existing canalservice road has been widened and strengthened. From an initial width of 3 Mt., itwas widened to 3.7 Mt. Subsequently, Agra Development Authority widened theroad to 4.7 Mt. Phase-ll was cleared by EFC for Rs. 8.00 crores released althoughRs. 5.45 crores has been spent by the PWDV

In the second phase, a road parallel to the existing canal road of 4.7 Mt.width is proposed to be made to serve as a bypass of NH standards.

This has been necessitated due to frequent traffic congestion that aretaking place on account of the trees that line the canal road, and the orders of theSupreme Court banning their felling.

EFC has cleared Phase-ll for Rs. 8.86 crores. The total cost of Phase-l andPhase-l! is Rs.10.65 crores.

The traffic load being more than 1500 vehicles/24 Hr's period (about 2400),has led to a change in specification.

The estimate has been revised as per National Highway norms. Provisionfor two lane (7.0 m wide) mechanical compaction, Granular sub-base, WMM hasbeen included. The revised estimate stands at Rs 26.91 crores and has been

• submitted to the State EFC for clearance. MMB has approved the revisedspecifications in principle, subject to examination by State EFC.

PRESENT STATUS

Rs.10.65 crores has been released upto 10/2001 and about Rs. 5.45 croresare reported to have been spent upto OctobeV, 2001.

Out of 19.90 Km.s, 18.02 Km. land is purchased by personal negation andRs.183.00 lacs has been disbursed as compensation 16.2 Km. of earth work hastaken place and mechanical compaction is in progress.

GSB-l.in 15.23 Km. and GSB-II in 2.6 Km. has been completed.

Remaining works is in progress.

G- WIDENING OF AGRA BYPASSP

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Agra Development Authority had widened the Southern bypass along

the canal from the existing width of 3.7 Mt. to 4.7 Mt. MMB had approved the

projects worth 0.76 crores. Rs.0.76 crores have been released by the Environment

Ministry. Agra Development Authority has executed the works incurring an

expenditure of 0.72 crores and the work is complete.

H- IMPROVEMENT OF MASTER PLAN ROAD OF AGRA CITY

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

To complete the missing links in 16 Master Plan roads, projects worth

Rs.7.59 crores has bee.n approved by the EFC.

Projects worth Rs. 6.61 crores have been cleared for the strengthening cf

10 existing Master Plan roads.

Provision of Rs. 2.04 crores has been made for street lighting and about%

Rs.4.97 crores has been made for land acquisition.

Tetal project cost cleared is about Rs. 22.97 crores.4

PRESENT STATUS

i

Rs.18.60 crores has been released as of date and an expenditure of

Rs.14.90 crores have been reported. Land acquisition through negotiations is in

progress. Out of 10 strengthening components. 7 Master Plan roads are rearing

completion and out of 16 missing gaps, 7 roads are nearing completion and wcrkso

on 3 roads are in progress and work on another one road in Dayal Bagh is to start.

A revised project for 7 roads for strengthening components and 11 reads

as missing links and 2 new roads in the proximity of Taj with a total outlay cf

Rs.22.97 crores has been approved by State EFC and the MMB.

33

I- IMPROVEMENT OF ELECTRIC SUPPLY IN AGRA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Rs. 9.11 crores has been approved by the EFC for the installation of a 315MVA transformer at the 400 KV sub station at Pilipokhar.

v

PRESENT STATUS

Rs.9.11 crores has been released. Rs.6.47 crores has been spent. Thetransformer has been commissioned.

J- IMPROVEMENT OF ELECTRIC SUPPLY IN RURAL AREAS OF AGRA &FATEHPUR-SIKRI

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The scheme to bring about an improvement in the power supply in the rural

areas in the TTZ has been cleared by the EFC. Projects totaling up to Rs.39 09

crores have been approved.

Rs. 29.09 crores has been earmarked for works in the distribution sector

and about Rs. 10.00 crores has been set aside for improving the transmission

system.*

(I) DISTRIBUTION WORKSt

In this sector, 11 new 33/11 KV substations are proposed to be constructed

(Abstract B). This project is costed at Rs. 9.48 crores

. The transformation capacities of 18 existing substations are to be

increased, and about 18 Km. of 33 KV lines have to be laid.

N.E villages falling within 20 Km radius of the Taj Mahal and 15 Km radius

of Fatehpur-Sikri have to be electrified. About 357 villages are to be taken up. The

transformation capacity of 50 LT substation in Mathura is to be increased About

95 slums/ villages within the municipal limits of Agra have to be electrified.

The distribution system of the town of Hathras. Mursan and Mendu is

proposed to be strengthened.

The above details are summarized in a tabular form as Abstract A. B & C.

(II) TRANSMISSION WORKS

In the transmission sector, a new substation of 132 KV is to be constructedat Bodla. Land had been offered by the Agra Development Authority atconcessional rates. The substation has been commissioned. Transmissioncapacity of 132 KV substation at Bah, Hathras and Shamshabad has beendoubled. Project worth Rs.10.00 crores have been approved in this sector.

PRESENT STATUS

Against an approved cost of Rs.39.09 crores, about Rs.29.11 crores hasbeen released. Expenditure incurred is about Rs.27.10 crores. Substation atSaiyan, Akola, Dhamota & Majahra have been constructed and work at PapriNagar, Karholi, Khairagarh, Kathras Junction is in progress.

In 110 Nos. out of 357 Nos. coded villages and 175 Hamlets electrificationwork has been completed.

ABSTRACT - "A"

S.NO. DESCRIPTION OF WORKS | QUANTITYDISTRIBUTION SECTOR1.

2.

3.

4. -

5.

6.

7.

Construction of 33/1 1 KV sub-stationIncreasing of transformation capacity ofexisting sub-stationConstruction of 33 KV lines

Electrification of N.E. villagesIncreasing capacity of 1 1/0.4 KV sub-stationElectrification of slums & villages withinmunicipal limitsImprovement works in the towrrofHathras, Mursan and Mendu

Sub-Total

TRANSMISSION SECTOR8.

9.

10.

11.

Construction of 132 kv substation atBodla (1X40 MVA)Increasing caoacity of 132 kv substationat BAH from 1X20 to 1X40 MVAIncreasing capacity of 132 kv substationat Hathras from 1X20 to 1X40 MVAIncreasing capacity of 132 kv substationat Shamshabad from 1X20 to 1X40 MVA

Sub-Total

11 No.18 No.

18 Km.

357 No.50 No.

95 No.

LS

1

1

1

1

GRAND TOTAL

COST( in lacs)

948.00394.77

54.00

1347.9925.00

95.00

45.00

2909.76•

700.00

100.00ii

100.00

100.00

1000.003909.76

35

ABSTRACT - "B1

DistrictsAGRA

HATHRAS

ETAH

FIROZABAD

Construction at 33/1 1 Kv S,S.DHANAOTAPAPRI NAGARRUNAKTASAIANMAJAHRAAKOU\l

HATHRAS TOWNHATHRAS JN.

Sub-TotalJALESAR

Sub-Total

Capacity1X3

1X3

1X51X3

1X3

1X3-

2X5

2X5-

Cost-

-

-

• •.

-

481.25-

-

278.001X3 |

-KHAIRGARH | 1X3KARKAOLI

Sub-Total j1X3

-

GRAND TOTAL

76.25-

-

152.50988.00

ABSTRACT - "C"

SI.NO

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12.

13.

i

14

NAME OF 33/11 KVSS

AGRAFATEHBADBAHJARAR .BHADRAUL!SAMSHABADKAGRAOLFATEHPUR-SIKRI ROAD -BICHPURISIKANDRADAYAL BAGKIRAWALIBAMRAULI KATRA

HATHRASMURSAN !

!

MA THURA IBISAWAR (MAI &SAHPAU) i

EXISTINGCAPACITY

2X5+32X5+3

1X33+53+53+51X33+5

2X5+33+52X31X3

i2X3 i

1X5&2X3i

PROPOSEDCAPACITY. MVA

3X53X52X3 J2X52X52X52X32X53X52X53+53+5

3+5

5+3 & 3+5

COST

(Rs. in lacs)

276.75

13.50

33.75i

36

'

K- PLANTATION

Air Pollution Control through Plantation

One of the most effective, economical and useful remedies for control of

environmental pollution is tree plantation. Trees help in soil and water

conservation and are "Oxygen producing" industries to combat ever increasing air

pollution. Big foliage trees also help in reducing noise and dust pollution.

The characteristic property of the trees to retard the impact of the wind is

closely connected with their capability to achieve a filter effect, i.e. to filter out

gases and aerosol from the air. The aerosol, i.e. dust and other filthy solid and

liquid particles, which are being carried away by the wind are retained by the

leaves and branches. In addition to this a strong sedimentation takes place during

stillness of the wind. Hence, the filter impact of the trees extends both in horizontal

and vertical directions. There have been studies which indicate higher sulfur

content under trees because of the above mentioned filtering effect.» ''

The forests have also been/described as the "green lung" of the earth. The

underlying implicatiofi of this characterization is that these forests absorb more*

carbon dioxide during the daytime in the process of photosynthesis than they emit

at night through respiration.

. In view of the above it is imperative to go in for intensive and extensive

planting of trees in order to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide and other

pollutants.

37

From the above it is clear that the trees play a major role in controling the

environmental pollution in the following ways :-

(iii) By providing a filter effect whereby they filter out and arrest the dispersal of

harmful gases and aerosol (dust and other harmful solid and liquid

particles).

(iv) By acting as a very effective carbon'sink.

In the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) there are a number of centers which

generate the pollutants and can be termed as source. The pollutants generated by

these sources have been the major cause of damage to the great monuments

within the TTZ which can be termed as Receptors.

The most important receptor within the TTZ is undoubtedly the Taj Mahal

but there are other very important monuments within the zone which act as

receptors. Some of these are Agra Fort, Etmad-ud-Daula, Sikandra and Fetehpur-

Sikri (Fatehpur-Sikri is approx 40 km. from Taj).

It is a well established fact that the pollution level around the abovec

mentioned receptors is very high and requires immediate attention. The cause

(Sources) of this high pollution levels around the monuments, however, is not

necessarily located within the areas in close vicinity of the monuments but are

located over the entire Taj Trapezium Zone. Some of these sources are as

follows :-

1. Line Sources :

Excessive NO2 and other pollution buildup can be attributed to the heavy

vehicular traffic on various roads located within the Taj Trapezium Zone. The

pollutants generated on these roads disperse over the entire TTZ.

38

2. Industrial Sources :

There are a number of Industrial Sources within the TT Zone which emit

gaseous pollutants such as SO2 and HC during their operations. Some of these

Industrial Sources may be listed as follows :-V

(a) Mathura Refinary - This is the single largest air pollution source within the

existing TTZ. (Approximately 40 km. from the Taj)

(b) The Glass Factories of-Eirozabad - Several glass factories located in

Firozabad (50 km. east of the Taj) are the next major sources of pollutants

in the TTZ.

(c) The Foundries and Rubber Processing Units located in Agra.

(d) There are large chunk of alkaline and ravinous barren lands within the TTZ.

The loose soil particles from these barren lands from a major source of dust

pollution. These areas need immediate attention as.

As has been clarified above, the high pollution level can be mitigated to a

great extent by intensive and extensive plantation activities. The plantation

activities are required to be concentrated as follows :-

(I) Plantation around the sources :*

Sources located within the TTZ are a major cause of the high pollution

levels around the monuments. There is an urgent heed to carryout intensive

plantation activities around these sources and create effective green belts so that

the pollutants generated by them are arrested and checked at the point of their

origin itself before they are dispersed and reach the receptors. This makes it

inevitable to carryout plantation activities in the whole TTZ often located far from

the receptors but in close vicinity of the sources. In fact the plantations around the*ysources may prove to be the most effective for the protection of the monuments as

they would not allow the pollutants to spread over and reach the sources.

39

(II) Plantation between the sources and receptors :

The plantations around the sources will check the spread of pollutants to a

great extent, but the winds will definitely carry it beyond these areas

Consequently, there is a need to create more green belts between the sources•WE t

and the receptors. These green belts apart from working as filters and sinks would

act as physical barriers in checking the pollutants from reaching the receptors.

(Ill) Plantation around the receptors :

The need for plantation and creation of green belts around the receptors

(monuments) is well established and needs no further elaboration.

In light of the above it may be concluded that in order to protect the Taj

Mahal and other monuments of Agra, plantation is an activity which cannot be

restricted only to an area of 4 to 6 kms. radius around the monuments if it has to

effective. Therefore, plantation activities must be earned out in the whole of the

TTZ.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

«

A project costing about Rs.9.43 Cr. for plantation in Agra. Mathura.

Firozabad. Hathras and Etah districts in 2378 hect. land has been approved by the

EFC.

PRESENT STATUS

Rs.8.37 Cr. has been released out of which Rs.5.83 Cr. hac been spent and

the work is in progress.V

1015 hect. area has been planted during the 2000-2001. Break up of the

plantation is as follows :-

Around monuments • : 19

City Roads : 30

.Industrial area : 60

Ravines ' : 275

Usararea : 109

Normal Block Plantations : .249

y Other Roads : 283

Total : 1015 hect.

In these areas species planted are indigenous, broad canopied, deciduous

to evergreen in nature, self rejuvenating and suitable to the climatic range i.e.

tolerant to temperature, local rains, soil factors etc.. Shrubs and other species

having pollution reducing characters in ambient air and which are multistoried inV.

nature have also been planted.

1343 ha. area has to be planted during financial year 2001-2002 (2001

rains). Break up of this plantation is as follows :-

Categories Targets for the year(2001-2002)

Around monuments :

City Roads :

Industrial area :

Ravines :

Usar area : t

Normal Block Plantations :*

Other Roads

Total :

19

20

130

275«*

95

499

315

1363_ t^^^n- u.»»»«»*»»T ••«

Achievement

19

30

130

275

95

479

315

1343*»

2002).

rThe remaining 20 ha. area will be planted in winter season (during 2001

L- AGRA SEWERAGE

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

• The city of Agra is spread over 8,400 hect. and has a population of

9,48,065 as per 1991 census, which is projected to, become 24 lacks by 2031.s

Presently only 1400 hectare has sewerage, comprising of 20 km. of main

trunk sewer and 100 km. of branch sewer. Most of the branch sewers are choked

and are badly in need of repairs.

For the sewerage disposal-system, the city has been divided into 7 zones.

(1) City Drainage District

(2) Western Drainage District

(3) South Drainage District

(4) Southern District

(5) Tajganj District

(6) Northern District

(7) Trans Yamuna District •>

The first six districts are in CIS Yamuna and the seventh one is in Trans

.Yamuna. Sewer lines exist only in some portions^ of the city drainage district and

the remaining six drainage districts do not have sewer lines.

NEERI has been requested to prepare a master plan for the

implementation of a sewage disposal system in the city, which is in a Draft stage.*

To improve the hygiene and sanitary condition around the Taj Mahal, a

proposal to construct a system of sewer lines in the Tajganj area and to renovate

and strengthen the existing system in the city drainage district, a project costing

Rs.43.57 crores has been prepared.

The EFC of the U.P. Government and the MMB has approved the proposal

and Rs.13.00 crores have been released by the Govt. Works is under progress

and Rs.12.58 crores have been spent. 43 km. of sewer lines has been laid against

a target of 112 km. Construction of all 4 sewage^ pumping station has been started.

Rehabilitation and cleaning of old sewers in a length of 3.5 km. has been

completed.

' 4 3

J

M- IMPROVEMENT OF 20 CITY ROADS

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

A proposal for the strengthening and improvement of 20 city roads had

been submitted to the State Government. The State EFC has approved the

proposal of 20 roads. The status can be summarized in a tabular form as below :

Rs. in lacs

SI.No.4

2.3

4.

5.

6.

7

8.

9.

10.

_ —

| 11.iI 12I IZ-I 13( IJ-

I14.

It

1516.

TT

DESCRIPTION OF ROAD

M. G. RoadHariparwat crossing to Guru Ka Tal

Yamuna Kinara RoadBijli Ghar to Purani Mandi via Agra FortKheria Airport to Purnai Mandi Crossing viaMall Road and Circuit HouseMall Road Shastri crossing to J.P. Hotel via Taj

*

View Hotel —Fatehpur-Sikri Town to Fatehpur-Sikri Dargah 'Bodla to Raja Mandi Railway Station viaLohamandi .From NH-2 via Pailiwal Park to Ghatia (Moti LaiNehru Marq)From Pailiwal Park to Gadhapara via Moti LaiNehru Marq

"From Soor Sadan to NH-2 via Khandan/^roccinn

Ariun Naara to Namner via Idgah Bus Stand

Rambagh crossing to Yamuna Bridge

From Arjun Nagar Gate to Fatehpur-Sikri Road

•*

| Collectarte to Sikandra _"From Pratappura crossing to Shastri crossing

\/io Pl^rk ShiraiI Saket crossing to Shahganj via C.O.D. Colony

PROPOSEDCOST

629

423

282.3

182.27406.00

369.00

180.00131.00

75.00

21.00

56.00

101.00

118.002974.00904.00

293.00112.00

33.00

COST CLEAREDBY EFC

340.81 1

298.90212.74

128.29293.33

255.40

128.22102.94

61.64

17.32

37.17

79.24

66.392025.61EFC declaredproposal asincomplete

| 199.6978.44

21.43

21

Manas Nagar to ShahganjRam Nagar Puliya to AlbatiyaHasenpura to Saket Colony crossing

12.0076.0019.00

Khandauli Agra Tatpur Road (Stretchy Bridge)

to Terhi Bagia

450

9.8358.77

1502338.13

44

Thus, out of the proposal for 21 roads, the State EFC has cleared 20 of

them for a cost totaling Rs. 27.10 crores. Central EFC clearance also has been

accorded. The State Govt. has released Rs. 12.66 crores to initiate the project on

M.G.Road (S.No.1), Yamuna Kinara Road (S.No.2) and Paliwal Park to

Gadhapara Road (S.No.10). Rs.3.24 crores has been spent.v

N- AGRA BARRAGE

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Agra Barrage is proposed- to be constructed 9.6 km. upstream of theTaj on the river Yamuna, Near Poyia Ghat, so that water may be stored during the

rnon-soons and used for the supply of drinking water in the lean months of January

to July. To avoid the flow of city drains into the reservoir the barrage is being

located upstream of the city.

At 1997 prices the project was costad at Rs. 134.00 crores. However at1999 prices, the cost would be Rs. 150.00 cores. The developments that have

taken place as regards this project are as follows :—

All the necessary clearances such as that of the CWC, State EFC, CentralEFC and the MOEF, GO! have been obtained. Land acquisition of 96 hect. in the

rev villages of Khaspur, Ghatwason, Naraich and Poia are in progress. Soil testingis also being done. Funds have been transferred to the Ex-En, Workshop. Bareily

for the fabrication of Gates.

The cost of the project shall be borne by the Nagar Vikas and the works

executed by the Irrigation Department on a deposit basis. The cost components of

the project is as below:—

. LAND ACQUISITION - Rs.15Cr.

. GATE-FABRICATION & MECH.' - Rs.25 Cr.EQUIPMENTS such as GANTRYand other operating system.

• CIVIL WORKS such as Barrage - Rs.HOCr.and Guide Bundhs and other protectionworks.

Total - Rs.150Cr.

45

The funds shall be utilized as per the phased schedule given below :—

Year Money to Spend(in Crores)

2000-2001 10.00v

2001-2002 36.00

2002-2003 54.00

2003-2004 35.00 /

2004-2005 15.00/

TOTAL 150:i)0

/'

Rs. 10.00 crores have been released in the year 2000-2001 & same has

been spent by the department/ For the year 2001-02. allotment of Rs.500 lacs

have been received against Which C.C.L of Rs.325 lacs have been received. It

has been utilized.

IMPROVEMENT OF PARKING AT THE WESTERN GATE OF TAJ

PROJECT DESCRIPTION \U7

In compliance of the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court on 07/12/1998 to

enforce a non-motoring zone of 500 metre around the Taj, the Western gate

parking was proposed to be shifted to Amrood-Ka-Teefa.

For the construction of the parking space, an ampunt of Rs. 0.94 crores

was sanctioned. The construction cost under this project was Rs. 0.88 crores.

."cThis work of parking is completed except at places where trees are to be

uprooted. Hon'ble Supreme Court has been requested to grant permission Once

permission is granted, work near entrance and exit gates will be completed>,/

The parking is constructed on an area of 15.000 sqmt. and car-. cater to

parking of 38 No. Buses. 141 No. Cars. 180 No. Scooters and 612 No Cycles

46> ,

P- MONITORING STATIONS

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

As per the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, 4 Ambient Air Quality

Monitoring Station have to be established to continuously monitor the Air Quality in

and Ground the Industrial Area of Nunhai.

The Hardware cost of these four stations is about Rs. 71.00'lacs. These

stations shall be manned by the staff of the Central Pollution Control Board

(CPCB).

The money has been released and made avaNable to the Central Pollution

Control Board (CPCB).

Four AAQMS shall be established at the locations specified below :

SI.No.

1-

2-

3-

4-

Location

Taj Mahal

Edmad-ud-daula

Nunhai

Rambagh

Station to be established at

North-West Bourge at Taj Mahal

Roof-top of internal gate of Edmad-ud-daula

Roof-top of ESI dispensary, Nunhai

Roof-top of Telephone Exchange buildingNagar, Agra

at Foundry

A Central Laboratory-cum-office is also to be established.

47

TTZ PROJECTS AT A GLANCE

Rs. in Crores

DEPARTMENT

\

1

JAL NIG AM

*A

. NAGAR NIGAM

IRRIGATION

P.W.D.

SL.No.

2

1

2

3

4

i

i

5

6

7

B

9

A.D.A. 10i

ti

U P.P.C.L

'

11

12

13

1"4

;

FOREST

C.PC.8. 1

15 (

(

6 I

PROJECTS APPROVED MMBGOI [EFC]

3

Water Supply Agra

(i) Water Supply Mathura-Vrindava(Phase I & II)(ii) Water Supply Mathura-Vrindava(Phase-Ill) [MMBJ

TOTAL (i & ii

Agra Sewerage

Storm Water Drainage System Agra

(i) Jal Nigam

(ii) Nagar Nigam

TOTAL (i & ii

SUB-TOTAL

Solid Waste Management

Gokul Barrage

Agra Barrage

SUB-TOTAL-

Construction of One Part of AgraSouthern Bypass (MMB)

Improvement of 20 Agra City Roads

SUB-TOTAL-

Widening of Agra Byepass

mprovement of Master Plan Roadsof Agra Citymprovement of Parking on Western

Gate of T.J&

SUB-TOTAL-

mprovement of Electric Supply inAgramprovement of Electric Supply in therural areas of Agra & Fatehpur-Sikri

SUB-TOTAL-

i) Plantation

ii) Maintenance of Plantation (MMB]

SUB-TOTAL-

5et up of 4 Monitoring Station [MMB]

GRAND-TOTAL—

COST

4

72.80

42.00

19.69•v

58.75

43.57

5.65

0.95

6.60

181.72

7.49

30.70

120.47

143.39

26.51

27.47

75.26

0.76

22.97

0.94

24.67

9.11

39.09

48.20

9.43

2.38

11.81

0.71

482.69

AMT. RELD. DURING FIN.YR.

1998-1999

5

16.50

17.32

0

17.32

4.00

2.00

0

2.00

39.82

6.42

12.50

0

12.50

4.00

0

4.00

0

3.10

0

3.10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

65.84

1999-2000

6

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.95

0.95

0.95

0.00

10.42

1.00

11.42

0.00

0

0.00

0.76

4.00

0

4.76

4.55

19.55

24.10

1.15

0

1.15

0

42.38

2000-2001

7

15.00

16.00

0

16.00

3.00

3.65

0

3.65

37.65

1.07

0.00

10.00

10.00

1.00

2.30

3.30

0

7.50

0.94

8.44

1.00

3.56

4.56

3.00

1.03

4.03

0

75.41

2001-2002

8

15.00

5.00

6.00

11.00

6.00

0

0

0

32.00

0

7.78

5.00

5.00

5.65

10.27

15.92

0

4.00

0

4.00

3.56

6.00

9.56

4.22

TOTALRELEASED

AMOUNT

9

46.50

33.32

6.00

44.32

13.00

5.65

0.95

6.60

110.42

7.49

30.70

15.00

45.70

10.65

12.57

23.22

0.76

18.60

0.94

20.30

9.11

29.11

38.22

8.37

0 1.03

4.22 9.40

0.71

79.19

0.71

48

CHAPTER - IV

THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE

1- TAKING STOCK

• The projects of the Taj Protection Mission are in progress from 1998-S9.

Presently, at the time of writing of this project paper 16 projects worth Rs.483 Cr.

have been sanctioned by the Mission Management Board (MMB) and are in

various stages of progress. These- projects are in 6 sectors and are being

implemented by 8 departments. Rs. 255.46 Cr. have been released and as on

October, 2001 the expenditure stood at Rs. 191.90 Cr.

It is relevant to attempt to examine the extent to which the mission has

been successful in trying to achieve its stated objectives. As mentioned earlier, the

projects form a part of a much wider effort to improve the environment around the

Taj Mahal..

To be objective, it might be worthwhile to examine the annual trends in the

level of the primary pollutants.

The time series data of the annual average of the levels SO:. NO* and SPM

have been obtained from the office of the Regional Officer, Uttar Pradesh Pollution

Control Board (UPPCB) and reproduced graphically as follow :-

SPM

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 19S9 2000

F1G.-2

49

OOOZ 6661 8661 Z661 9661 9661 C661 Z661 1661

0002 6661 8661 Z661 9661 S661 ^661 e66l 3661 1661

OS

Levels of S02 have reduced from a level of 21 ug/m3 in 1991 to 11 ug/m3 in

2000. Similarly, levels of NOxhave reduced from a level of 12 ug/m3 in 1995 to 103 . .'

ug/m in 2000. The levels of SPM remains to be a cause of concern as in recent

years it has remained well above 400 ug/m3 as against a limit of 70 ug/m3 . As

mentioned earlier due to certain geographical and natural reasons, such as

proximity of the Thar desert, agricultural activity and the Yamuna river, the back

ground levels of SPM would continue to be much higher than 70 ug/m3. The best

mitigation measures as far as the SPM levels are concerned seems to.be

intensive plantation in the TTZ. Reassessment of the SPM for the sensitive zone in

the TTZ may also be considered. Nevertheless, if the trend of NOX and SO2 is

seen in the backdrop of increase in the number of vehicles, population and general

economic activity, it can be stated beyond a doubt, that the efforts have shown

result.

However, the efforts have to continue and come to a logical conclusion. The

question now arises is about the direction of the future efforts.

THE FUTURE

Presently, 16 projects worth Rs.482.69 Cr. is being implemented by 8

departments. A decision in principle has been taken by the Mission Management

Board (MMB) to get a midterm review of the projects by an external consultant, so

as to get an idea of the achievements and to generate recommendations for the

future. It is worthwhile to specify the focus of the projects. All projects which are to

form a part of the Taj Protection Mission must have a direct linkage or relevance

to :-

(i) improvement of the air quality and the environment around the Taj in

particular and in Agra in general.

(ii) improvement of the physical conditions of life in the city.

(iii) promotion of tourism.

The projects can be classified into two categories, external and internal.

By the term "internal project", it is implied that the physical location of the

project activity and the created infrastructure is within a radius of 4 to 6 km. of the

Taj Mahal.

51

A

For example, projects such as the Taj Ganj Sewerage, City Road

improvement, Agra Water Supply would be classified as an internal project.

An external project would denote project activities, which are well beyond

the 6 km. zone, but have substantial and significant impact in terms of the

objectives of the Mission. Projects such as the Gokul Barrage, though located in

Mathura would increase water supply to Agra and hence is an external project.

Similarly, the Southern Bypass is being constructed beyond the 6 kms. limit, but

would ease traffic congestion in Agra.

Projects in both the categories need to be selected as environmental space

zones are not water tight compartments. But the linkage should be clear and

significant.

On the basis of the collective experience at the field level some broad

suggestions pertaining to various sectors emerge. These are being listed as

follows :-

A. POWER SECTOR

The Hon'ble Supreme Court had directed that investments be made in the

power sector so as to ensure the availability of uninterrupted power supply in the

Agra city with, a view tc prevent the operation of DG sets. Normally, bridging the<

•demand supply gap of power should be a routine process in the power sector. But

the focus of projects in the TPM is to eliminate completely the DG sets operation in

the city of Agra.

Several new 33/11 kv sub-stations have been .constructed and the

transformation capacities of several existing sub-stations have been upgraded.

The location of many of these does not have a clear linkage with the focus of thef*

TPM. It can be argued that polluting emissions anywhere in the TTZ can have a

significant impact on the environment around the Taj. But in the report of the

Mahajan Committee* for the month of January, 2001, it was recommended that

the focus of the projects should be within a radius of 4 to 6 km. around the Taj

Mahal, which would encompass almost the entire city of Agra.

Mahajan Committee is a Committee appointed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. It

comprises of two scientists of the CPC8 and is headed by Shri Krishan Mahajan, Sr.

Advocate of the Hon'ble Supreme Court.

52

Thus, this would.suggest that in the future we undertake projects in the

power sector with a view to eliminate the dependence on the DG sets. Two

specific projects that can be suggested are as follows :-

(I) To upgrade and strengthen the distribution network of the city, with a

priority being given to Taj Ganj area which is in the immediate vicinity of theTaj Mahal.

(II). At the 132 KV level, the net transformation capacity available is about 280

MVA, which is just equal to the peak load demand of 280 MVA. This needsto be increased.

(Ill) Keeping in view that by 2010 the peak load.demand is projected to be 560

MVA. It would be desirable to plan for installing the transformationcapacities immediately otherwise the present achievements in the powersector will be short-lived.

B. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

The solid waste management is another sector, which is very critical insofar

as the improvement of the sanitary and hygiene conditions of the city is

concerned. Further intervention in this sector would be required in the

following three directions :-

(I) Infrastructural improvement

(II) Capacity enhancement

' (III) "Public awareness and participation

To elaborate the three issue :-

(I) INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENT

• The storage capacity available with municipal corporation is

inadequate. Presently, the daily volumetric generation of solid waste

is about 2700 M3. Providing for a buffer of 10% the storage capacity

available should be about 3000 M3. As against this the Nagar Nigam

has a storage capacity of on 2300 M3. This requires additional

procurement of Bins of appropriate capacities.

53

The landfill site at Shahadra is not scientifically designed and

mounds of waste are visible near the NH-2. Due to the absence of a

impervious coating there is leaching action which would pollute the

ground water sources. Surface run off would pollute water bodies. In

addition to the above, practice of covering the waste with inert

"material after dumping is not followed resulting in the area being

infested with rodents, vermins and pests, not to mention the foul

smell.

There is an urgent need to construct a scientifically designed landfill site

with an integrated facility for the composting of biodegradable waste to facilitate

energy and resource recovery. There is also a need to establish specialised

facilities for the handling of biomedical waste as presently this is mixed with the

normal solid waste.

(II) CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT

Low productivity of the workforce of the municipal corporation demands

training as well as better management. Presently the process of primary waste

collection and' street sweeping requires improvement. There is no system of waste

segregation at the primary levels, which should be introduced ungently. Private

sector participation through NGO in the solid waste management system should

also be considered to improve productivities.

(III) PUBLIC AWARENESS

The levels of public apathy frustrates all attempts to keep the city clean.

The "NIMBY" syndrome afflicts the average citizen who is only concerned about

cleanliness of his private space without bothering about his vicinity. This can be

broken only by sustained publicity cum education.

NIMBY — Not in my backyard.

54

C. DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE

Presently, under the Taj Protection Mission only 4 new drains are beingconstructed by the Jal Nigam and 4 existing drains are being strengthened by theNagar Nigam. Even after the completion of these projects substantial areas in theCity would remain without drainage cover. Different agencies such as the AgraDevelopment Authority and the Nagar Nigam undertake drainage projects fromtime to time but these do not have a integrated perspective. A Master Plan forDrainage should be prepared so that the various agencies can then undertake theconstruction of new drains along, planned lines. The Mission Management Board(MMB) has sanctioned the preparation of such a Master Plan. To cover the entirecity with a scientifically designed drainage wo.uld require an investment of aboutRs.200 Cr., as per preliminary projections of the Jal Nigam.

Similarly, the sewerage cover of the city is presently only 20%. Out of 7drainage districts, only one i.e. the city drainage district has a sewerage network.Under the Taj Protection Mission, the Taj Ganj drainage district is also beingcovered with a sewerage system. But to provide a sewerage cover for the entirearea of the city projected to be inhabited by 2016 would require an additionalinvestment of about R's.200 crores. These projects also need to be consideredunder the Taj Protection Mission.

D. ROADS

Investments in the sector are very critical in relieving the traffic congestionand vehicular.pollution.

The Southern Bypass which being built between NH-2 and NH-3 should beextended so the road finally terminate on NH-2 instead of NH-3 as is presentlybeing done. This would require an additional investment of Rs. 60.00 crores.

Wit'hin the city, fly-overs should be made at congested intersections suchHari Parwat and Collectorate Crossing so as to reduce idling of vehicles.

E. TAJ BARRAGE

The Taj Barrage is an important project, which must be taken up on accountof the Agra Barrage. The Barrage is being built 9.6 km. upstream of the Taj. Dueto the impounding of the water of the river Yamuna, the water front behind the Tajwould be reduced. Even now, in the lean summer season there is no water frontbehind the monument. The Taj Barrage would cost about Rs. 80 crores andpreliminary studies have indicated that it should be located 2 km. downstream ofthe Taj creating a pond level of not more that 146 metres.

55

A list of suggested projects alongwith cost projections is as follows :-

SL.No.

V

1-

2-

3-

4-

5-

6-

7-

••

PROJECTS

Improvement of Electricity Distribution System of Taj Ganj

Improvement of Electricity Distribution System of Agra City

Southern Bypass Phase - II

City Sewerage

City Drainage

Taj Barrage

Solid Waste Management

(i) Landfill Site

(ii) Equipments

-

Total -**

COST

(inCr.)

1.CO

22.00

60.00

' 200.00

200.00

80.00.

2.00

5.00

570.00

The above list is indicative and suggestive. It is obvious that the project

costs involved would result in sanctions well beyond the planned allocation of

Rs.600.00 crores. This would imply either a revision of plan outlay or targeting

otrler sources of investments such as the ADB. The State Government isn

negotiating a package with the ADB to help finance projects in the TTZ. It would

be appropriate to maintain the focus of the Taj Protection Mission in the ADB

package.

56

AGRA CITYANNEXURE-A

Situation

LatitudeLongitude

27° 10' N78° 02' E

Location

Lies at the junction of -

NH-2NH-3NH-11SH-39

(Delhi - Calcutta) G.T.Road(Agra - Jhansi)(Agra - Jaipur)(Chandausi - Agra - Tantpur - Kot) C.A.T.K.

Climate

Maximum TemperatureMinimum TemperatureAverage Rainfall

Wind direction

Population

47° C3° C685 mm

(Summer)(Winter)(In the month of July,August, September)

from North-West (Prevailing wind)from South & South-East (Monsoonwind)

Year1901191119211931 j

' 1941195119611971198119912001 I

Total Population1,88,0001,85,4001,86,0002,29,7642,84,1493,71,6655,08,6806,34,6227.47,3189,48,06511.47,000

% increase-

H 10024 |243236 |25 „ |18 I2721

work force ratio

tourist inflow

27%

8,000 to 10,000/day

contd.

(2)

Roads(year 1999)

Total Network length of major roads - 142 km

Out of this. 80% of roads are of 2 lanes & above.

Traffic

Total No. of vehicles in Agra City

Composition - BusesAuto/TemposCar/Jeeps2 WheelersCycle RickshawasBicycles

Industries

i

<s

Total No. of Registered Industries

No. of polluting industriesidentified by (SCI)

No. of polluting Industriesidentified by (PCS)

(year 1999)

2.65 lacs

9%4%4%38%15%30%

(year 1999)

6,463

292

96

»

Composition - Foundry. Rubber. Chemical. Tannery. Casting. DieselEngine. Generator.

3ANNEXURE-B

U.P. POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD, AGRA

ANNUAL ARITHMETIC MEAN BS : 1RDAT AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATION

TAJ MAHAL

YEARI

! . 1991

1 1992 ;1993

1994 .

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

• 2000 •

SULPHURDIOXIDE

(S02)

21

25

25

22

19

17

14

12

11

1f

OXIDES OFNITROGEN

(NOX)

12 '

16

12

10

11

14

12 .

11

10

10

SUSPENDEDPARTICULATE

(S.P.M.)

420

523

447

356

444

477

425

506

474

507

NOTE - All values are in

STANDARD :- Annual arithmetic mean for sensitive area.

(As per National Ambient Air Quality Standard Notification No. S.O.384(E), dated

11th April, 1994

1- SO2 -2- NPx -3- SPM -

1515 ug/nv70 j.ig/nrr

REGIONAL LABORATORY

U.P. POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD, AGRA

ANNEXURE-C

MEAN VALUES OF SO2 CONCENTRATION IN AMBIENT AIR

SURROUNDING "TAJ MAHAL", AGRA

MONTH

1

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

1991

2

31

22

20

17

13

11

13

18

20

21

27

35

1992

3

28

36

26

21

19

20

18

18

20

31

29

40

1993

4

41

31

30

19

20

23

28

10

19

17

19

22

1994

5

20

29

23

27

23

20

16

12

16

18

22

29

1995

6

34

24

30

18

16

13

12

12

15

19

22

27

1996

7

31

23

17

16

15

13

14

10

13

18

20

21

1997

8

21

16

14

13

12

11

11

09

10

13

16

18"

1998

9

17

14

12

12

10

11

10

10

11

12

14

14

1999

10

15

13

12

10

10

09

08

08

10

11

12

13

2000

11

11

13

13

10

11

11

10

OS

09

11

13

14

All values are in jig/m3

Standard - 30.00 ug/m3

(For Sensitive Area)

so,

• ..

;: •

v . /•.

• • "

•

SSSSSSfSSSSSSSS/S/'fS/SSSfSSSSSSSS/SStSSSSSSSSSSSfSSSSSSSS

r M

onH

orln

g S

UIIo

n *

l lh

« T

<| M

*h<

l In

Ag

ra.

SOU

RC

E B

Y •

UP

PC

B. A

GR

A

ANNEXURE-DREGIONAL LABORATORY

U.P. POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD, AGRA

MEAN VALUES OF NOX CONCENTRATION

SURROUNDING "TAJ MAHAL",!

IN AMBIENT

AGRA

AIR

r(MONTH

I 1JANUARY

[FEBRUARY

(MARCH

;l APRIL

I MAY

I JUNE

| JULY

| AUGUST

I SEPTEMBER

I OCTOBER

I NOVEMBERI

DECEMBER

1991

2

13

12

11

10

07

06

08

11

12

13

15

20

1992

3

19

18

10

13

14

18

17

15

14

11

18

12

1993

4

15

13

11

07

08

08

08

15

12

12

12

17

1994

5

16

09

07

10

10

10

08

05

07

12

14

19

1995

6

18

17

14

11

09

07

05

05

08

11

15

15

1996

7

19

18

15

11

12

09 .

11

08

11

15

17

20

1997

8

19

15

14

13

11

10

09

08

09

12

13

15

1998

9

15

13

12

11

09

10

08

09

09

11

12

13

1999

10

14

11

10

09

09

08

07

07

09

10

11

11

2000

11

10

10

10

09

10

10

08

08

08

10

12

12

All values are in ug/m3

Standard - 30.00 ug/m3

(For Sensitive Area)

NO

,

//v

/ vv //

s ss

s

*jnt

>Unl

Al/

Mon

lior

ing

Su

ilon

*t

Ui«

T<|

WU

Iul

In A

g>«.

SO

UR

CE

BY

• UP

fCB

. AG

RA

ANNEXURE - E

REGIONAL LABORATORY

U.P. POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD, AGRA

MEAN VALUES OF SPM CONCENTRATION IN AMBIENT AIR

SURROUNDING "TAJ MAHAL", AGRA

MONTH

1

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER -

1991

2

684

651

446

447

381

355

390

406

449

483

672

821

1992

3

547

411

358

546

613

741

674

322

413

570

605

623

1993

4

609

582

407

401

300

441

320

336

433

447

452

408'

1994

5

537

516

461

381

393

349

300

173

223

292

330

420

1995

6

811

613

462

397

381

378

315

223

271

383

506

593

1996

7

845

605

436

409

412

401 .

347

266

326

390

525

770

1997

8

711

639

353

367

417

359

352

248

252

335

399

654

1998

9

759

580

500

534

513

517

301

306

419

436

500

668

1999

10

861

579

486

465

445

4'i4

348

254

397

418

467

534

2000

11

559

628

5S1

441

504

541

419

367

404

435

508

587

..All values are in

Standard - 100.00 }.ig/m3

(For Sensitive Area)

SP

M

11 i '

/ N.

M I I

l I

-1 1

-I I

I ' I

I •

I '

I I

I I

J

L

' i

\ t

11 II' ,',->

'

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•

t / ~\-

f-

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yV

////

Ajn

bUnl

Air

Mon

itorin

g S

ullo

n <

l (h«

T<|

M jlnl I

n A

gr«.

SO

UR

CE

BY

• U

PP

CB

, AG

RA

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CL/he (Saxette ofEXTRAORDIIMARY

MPT i i— Tsnr^ 3 — -aPART II— Section 3 — Sub-section (ii)

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

M> 2SS ].No. 25«"|

, *(? IS, 1999/ 7TP3 23. 192 1

NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, MAY 18, I999/VAISAKHA 2S, 1921

.3TT. 350

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.K. ^-20013/1/99 -

MLMSTRYOF EiNVlRONMENT AND FORLSTS

ORDER'

New Delhi, the 17th May, I'W

S.O. 350 (E).--ln exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (.1) of section 3 of the Environment ;Protection) Act. 1986 (29 of 1986) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act), the Central Government hereby constitutes ar. jminority to be known as the Taj Trapezium Zone Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (herein referred to as the jUithontyl consisting of the following persons for a period of two years with cdcct from tlic date of publication of thisunification in the Official Gazette, namely •-

i ! ) Commissioner. Agra Division. "*

(1) Chairman. Uttar Pradesh State Pollution Control Board.

(TO Deputy Inspector Genera! of Police. Agra Range.

U; Member-Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board.

f .* i A representative of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

-.0) A representative of the Ministry of Environment and Forests

"i A representative of the Archaeological Survey of Ind ia

s; V:u%-(.'!i:miT.an. Agra Development A u i l i o r u v

Chairman.

Member.

Member.

Member.

Member

Member

Member.

Mcmber-Ccnvcr.:r

The ; iuthor i ty shall, within the geographical l imits of Agrn Division in tiic Taj Trapezium Zone (see Aancxure)in the State of Utur Pradesh, have the power to — '

inU) monitor progress of the implementation of various schemes for protection, of the Taj Mahal indprogrammes for protection and improvement of the environment in the above said area ;

( i t ) exercise powers under section 5 of the said act;

f i n ) i;ike ;ill necessary steps to ensure compliance of specified emission standards by motor vehicles ,indensuring compliance of fuel quality standards;

i i v ) do;il with any environmental issue which may be referred to it by ilic Central Government or the StateGovernment of Ultar Pradesh relating 10 the above said area; !

p "A d

—^s 3(ii) ]

3 The forciviMg powers and functions of ihc Authority shall be subject lo the overall supervision and control of

the Ccu...:i Government.

4 The Aut.'ioriiy shall be authorised to exercise the powers under section 19 of the said Act.

5 The geographical limits of ihc Taj Trapc/ium Zone (sec Anncxurcj have been defined in the shape of a trapczoidbetween 26" 45' N & IT 15' E lo 27° 45' N & 77° 15' C in the West of the Taj Mahal and in the East of TajMahal between IT 00' N & 7X" W I- to 27" .10' N A 78" .10' F..

6 The -Authority may co-opt experts for facilitating the work assigned to it

7 The Authority shall furnish a report about its activities at least once in two months to the Central Govcnuncnt

in the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

8 The Authority shall have its headquarters al Agra in the State of Uuar Pradesh.

(File No. Z-2001S/1/99-CPA1VIJAl SHARMA. Jt. Secy.