Locals around Taj decide to form action committee, send delegation to CM

Agra Residents and shopkeepers who fear they will be affected by the recent Supreme Court order to stop business activities within 500 metres’ radius of the Taj Mahal, will hold a meeting at the eastern gate of the monument on Friday.

A meeting was held on Thursday at Tajganj and a decision was taken to constitute a committee led by former BJP MLA Kesho Mehra who had been associated with issues related to restrictions on industries in Agra on the pretext of environment.

The local BJP MLA, Dr GS Dharmesh assured the locals to take up the matter with chief minister Yogi Adityanath after the names of those in the delegation were finalized.

On Monday, while deciding an interlocutory application, the Supreme Court had directed the Agra Development Authority to stop all business activities within 500 metres’ radius of the Taj Mahal.

The order sent a wave of uncertainty in Tajganj locality around the monument, housing about 150 small and medium category hotels, emporia and about 500 odd shops after the Agra Development Authority began a survey to identify and mark business activities around Taj.