New Delhi: Mughal monument of love, Taj Mahal, standing amidst encroachments and facing constant threat from mushrooming light industries, got a breather with the Supreme Court directing the Uttar Pradesh government to keep the adjoining areas clean and green.

The state government recently gave an undertaking to the Court that the area measuring 89.87 hectares in Shamshabad and Fatehabad, adjoining the monument, would be maintained as 'green zone' and would not be converted into non-polluting light industrial zone.

This undertaking was given through counsel Ajay Agarwal before a Bench comprising Justice M B Shah and Justice Arun Kumar following serious concerns shown by it towards the proposals, which would have converted the adjoining areas of the 17th century monument built by Mughal emperor Shahjehan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

The Court noted in its order that "the state of UP undertakes that area measuring 89.87 hectares in Shamshabad and Fatehabad would be kept as 'green zone' as previously notified and would not be converted into non-polluting light industrial zone."

The undertaking further said that "competent authority would take immediate steps for removal of any unauthorised construction at any place within that area."

PTI