NGT raps TTZ authorities over failure to curb Agra pollution

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has pulled up the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) authorities for failing to implement pollution control measures in Agra, despite having mitigation plans in place.

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The tribunal said the authorities had not acted on the approved plans and directed the TTZ Chairman and the Uttar Pradesh Environment Secretary to file a detailed affidavit outlining the steps taken, timelines for pending actions, designated officials responsible and funds allocated.

“We are of the view that clear and full details of the action taken to implement the Agra action plan have not been placed on record,” a Bench comprising Justices Prakash Shrivastava, Sudhir Agarwal, Arun Kumar Tyagi and Afroz Ahmad observed. The Secretary, Environment Department, State of UP, has been directed to file the affidavit providing the full details of the actions completed in four weeks.

The Bench also noted that many proposed air pollution control initiatives in Agra — such as electric buses, peripheral highways, and afforestation — remain unimplemented.

The TTZ was constituted in 1998 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to safeguard the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri from environmental degradation.