The shadow of the Taj looms over the dusty, dirty, chaotic and overgrown Agra. The decayng landscape of Agra is dotted with
boards proclaiming clean/green Agra. As we enter this crowded place, we are met with the stench of rotting garbage strewn all over. The city has sprawled up unplanned, crowded, messy and untidy.
Even the water is contaminated. Air pollution is rampant. Only noisy, smoke vomiting diesel generators can guarantee electricity full time.
The UP government has set up adequate funds to clean the place and tidy the parking lot and keep the monument in its pristine glory. But to no avail. The money does not reach the targets and the result is more dirt and contamination.
Even in the sweltering July Agra welcomes over 3 lakh visitors from all over the world. And what an impression they would be carrying about India!
The smoke from the refineries had already tarnished the smooth sheen of the marbles of the monument. Industries were removed in 1984 itself to prevent further damage to the Taj from the smoke from the foundries and pollution from the tanneries.
Agra spent a whopping 77 crores to clean the Yamuna! But the river water is fully contaminated: 25 times more than the prescribed limit for bathing! Even after expensive treatment the city’s water is almost regurgitated
sewage! 80% of sewage of city falls into the Yamuna. The sewage treatment plants do not do their work.
The only way to keep the Taj from further deterioration is to keep the people stake holders. Let them take the responsibility. Now everyone just wants to milk it for all its worth.
The use of coal for the production of anything is to be permanently banned. There should be adequate supply of LPG. There should be public transport system and drinking water for visitors and locals.
As the sun sets, the image of the Taj shows the ravages of time and mismanagement reflected in the over polluted Yamuna. .