ASI flays installation of chimney near Taj, lodges FIR

AGRA: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has raised objection over installation of chimneys at Moksha Dham, located within 500 meter radius of Taj Mahal, stating that the civic body failed to take permission before stating the construction. It has also filed an FIR with the local police in this regard.
The Supreme Court had earlier directed Agra authorities to take measures to reduce pollution arising from burning of bodies at the crematorium.Acting on the Supreme Court’s directive to reduce levels of smoke and ash bellowing from the crematorium near the Taj Mahal, the Agra Development Authority (ADA) finalized two ways in which to tackle this menace. Authorities had decided to install chimneys working on the wet scrubber technique at Moksha Dham and introduce two more electric furnaces to the existing crematorium at Tajganj.
Subsequently, ADA prepared a detailed project report and informed the court that a sum of Rs 9.5 crore would be spent in the entire exercise. At Rs 5.8 crore, the ADA recently started installing chimneys and other structures at Moksha Dham, where the wet scrubber technique would be employed to reduce carbon pollution.
ADA officials said it was one of the most effective techniques to reduce pollution level. Under the wet scrubber system, smoke from pyres will be passed through a water channel which in turn will reduce emission of carbon particles, supposedly one of the main causes for turning the 17th century white marble monument yellow.
However, according to ASI officials the ADA did not take any prior permission for starting the construction. ASI superintending archaeologist Bhuvan Vikrama said the department was also following the rules set by the SC in issuing the notice. “It is a direction by SC where authorities are required to take prior permission. Even if the apex court has allowed the Moksha Dham project, ADA should have taken the permission. A notice has been issued.”
ADA vice chairman Ajay Yadav said, “We have received the notice and we will give a suitable reply. The construction is being done on SC’s order.” ADA sources informed that the department plan to complete both the work by the end of this year. In April, 2016, the Supreme Court had directed to the Agra Development Authority to submit its final report on the action plan to reduce air pollution due to burning of bodies at Moksh Dham (crematorium) near the Taj Mahal. SC judge Kurian Joseph, during a personal visit to Agra, had noticed the burning pyres at the ghat. In a letter dated October 1, 2015 to Chief Justice HL Dattu, he had sought the intervention of the SC, pointing to the threat to the Taj from the continuous burning of pyres.