Sunday, February 12 2006 10:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: A Supreme Court-appointed committee has recommended that the existing construction work on the controversial Taj Heritage Corridor Project should not be undone as it might have an adverse effect on the 17th century monument of love.

After conducting a detailed study with the help of satellite imagery of the project area, the five-member panel said the undoing activity may loosen the soil making it prone to erosion, "Which might have an effect on the Taj that cannot be predicted".

The panel comprising Court Commissioner advocate Krishan Mahajan, Central Pollution Control Board Scientists R C Trivedi and C S Sharma, Environment and Forest Ministry Additional Director Saroj and ASI Superintending Archaeologist D Dayalan concluded large scale undoing of the earthwork done under the Project 'will further create environmental problems'.

After analysing the Project documents, technical reports, records, holding discussions and consultations with river hydrology experts and visiting the sites, the committee opined against large scale removal of debris.

According to the committee, the now abandoned Project covered over 22,50,000 cubic meter of earth filling, 45,000cubic meter of stone work for embankment and plain concret cementing work of nearly 2,000 cubic meter.

However, it recommended against largescale undoing of the work as it will amount to large scale uprooting of the stabilised soil and necessiate the use of diesel-run machines for several months.