Here are the '470 reasons' that are defacing Taj Mahal's beauty
Taj Mahal, one of India's most iconic monuments, is surrounded by 470 illegal structures within a 500m radius. These structures include restaurants, cafes, and emporiums that have encroached upon the restricted area.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had filed FIRs (First Information Reports) against many of these encroachments, but local authorities have failed to take any action to remove them, a TOI report stated.
According to a list accessed by TOI, the ASI Director-General had sent the names of these illegal structures to the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government and the district administration last year, urging them for their removal. Despite repeated pleas from ASI officials, the encroachments still remain.
Raj Kumar Patel, the Superintending Archaeologist, explained that while the ASI has the authority to file FIRs for unauthorized constructions near protected monuments, it is the responsibility of the Agra Development Authority (ADA) and the local administration to take action.
However, these authorities have not acted upon the demolition notices issued by the ASI Director-General's office.
An ASI report reveals that 248 new illegal constructions have emerged within a radius of 100m to 300m of the Taj Mahal and its surrounding areas between 2015 and 2022. Shockingly, some of these structures are as close as 50m to the world heritage site.
