UP government's Taj vision document: No-plastic zone, promote pedestrian movement

The Uttar Pradesh government has filed the first draft report of "vision document" on protection and preservation of Taj Mahal in the Supreme Court.

The document said the entire Taj precinct should be declared a "no-plastic zone" and the use of bottled water should also be prohibited.

The state government told India's top court that all polluting industries in the region should be closed and more tourism hubs should be created.

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It also called for "comprehensive traffic management plan to promote pedestrian movement" in the Taj heritage precinct. The document pointed out that roads along the Yamuna riverfront should be planned so that traffic is limited and pedestrian movement encouraged.

The Adityanath-led government also informed that top court that there should be no construction on the Yamuna floodplain and the riverbank should only have natural plantations.

The Supreme Court had earlier rapped the Centre saying that protecting the Taj Mahal had become a "hopeless cause" due to "lethargy" in taking necessary steps.  The apex court had also expressed anguish over the Uttar Pradesh government's failure to come up with a vision document to preserve the heritage site.

The Supreme Court had directed the government to either be shut down the Taj or restore in the right way. In an angry statement, the SC had said either the Taj should be restored or demolished.