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PETITIONER: M.C. MEHTA

       Vs.

RESPONDENT: UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

DATE OF JUDGMENT:       30/12/1996

BENCH: KULDIP SINGH, FAIZAN UDDIN

ACT:

HEADNOTE:

JUDGMENT:                       J U D G M E N T Kuldip Singh, J.      Taj Mahal - The Taj - is the "King Emperor" amongst the World -  Wonders. The  Taj is the final achievement and acme of the  Moghul Art. It represents the most refined aesthetic values. It  is a  fantasy - like grandeur. It is the perfect culmination and  artistic interplay of the architects’ skill and the  jewellers’ inspiration.  The marble-in-lay walls of The  Taj  are  amongst  the  most  outstanding  examples  of decorative workmanship. The elegant symmetry of its exterior and the  aerial grace  of its domes and minarets impress the be holder  in a  manner never to be forgotten. It stands out as  one   of  the   most  priceless  national  monument,  of surpassing beauty  and worth,  a glorious  tribute to  man’s achievement in Architecture and Engineering.      Lord Roberts  in his  work "Forty  one years  in India" describes The Taj as under:-      "Neither  words  nor  pencil  could      give to the most imaginative reader      the  slightest   idea  of  all  the      satisfying  beauty  and  purity  of      this glorious  conception. To those      who have  not seen it, I would say,      - Go  to India;  the Taj  alone  is      well worth the journey."      A poet describes The Taj as under:-      "It is too pure, too holy to be the      work of  human hands.  Angels  must      have brought  it from  heaven and a      glass case should be thrown over it      to preserve  it from each breath of      air."      Sammuel Smith  in his  Book about  The Taj explains the impact as under:-      "We stood  spell-bound  for  a  few      minutes at  this lovely apparition;      it hardly seems of the earth. It is      more  like  a  dream  of  Celestial      beauty, no  words can  describe it.      We felt  that all  previous  sights

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    were damned  in comparison, No such      effect is  produced  by  the  first      view of  St. Peter’s  or  Milan  or      cologne Cathedrals.  They  are  all      majestic, but  this is  enchantment      itself. So perfect is its form that      all other structures seem clumsy."      The Taj is threatened with deterioration and damage not only by  the  traditional  causes  of  decay,  but  also  by changing social  and economic conditions which aggravate the situation with  even more  formidable phenomena of damage or destruction.  A  private  sector  preservation  organisation called "World Monuments Fund" (American Express Company) has published a  list of 100 most endangered sites (1996) in the World. The  Taj has  been included in the list by stating as under:-      "The Taj  Mahal -  Agra- India" The      Taj Mahal,  Marble Tomb  for Mumtaz      Mahal, wife  of emperor Shah Jahan,      is considered the epitome of Mughal      monumental domed  tombs  set  in  a      garden. The  environment of Agra is      today best  with problems  relating      to  the  inadequacy  of  its  urban      infrastructure for  transportation,      water and  electricity. The densest      pollution near  the  Taj  Mahal  is      caused    by    residential    fuel      combustion,   diesel   trains   and      buses,  and   back-up   generators.      Construction of  the proposed  Agra      Ring Road  and  Bypass  that  would      divert the estimated daily 6,50,000      tons of  trans-India truck  traffic      awaits financing.  Strick  controls      on industrial pollution established      in  1982   are  being   intensively      enforced following  a 1993  Supreme      court Order.  The Asian Development      Bank’s proposed  $300 million  loan      to the Indian government to finance      infrastructure  improvement   would      provide the  opportunity  to  solve      the chronic problems. Agra contains      three   World    Heritage    Sites,      including the Taj Mahal."      According   to    the   petitioner,    the   foundries, chemical/hazardous industries  and the  refinery at  Mathura are  the   major  sources   of  damage   to  The   Taj.  The sulphurdioxide emitted  by  the  Mathura  Refinery  and  the industries when  combined with  Oxygen -  with  the  aid  of moisture -  in the  atmosphere forms  sulphuric acid  called "Acid rain"  which has  a corroding  effect on  the gleaming white marble.  Industrial/Refinery  emissions,  brick-kilns, vehicular   traffic   and   generator-sets   are   primarily responsible  for   polluting  the  ambient  air  around  Taj Trapezium (TTZ).  The petition  states that the white marble has yellowed  and blackened  in places. It is inside the Taj that the  decay is more apparent. Yellow pallor pervades the entire monument.  In places  the yellow  hue is magnified by ugly brown and black spots. Fungal deterioration is worst in the inner  chamber where  the original  graves of shah-Jahan and Mumtaz  Mahal lie. According to the petitioner The Taj - a monument  of international  repute -  is  on  its  way  to degradation  due   to  atmospheric   pollution  and   it  is

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imperative that  preventive steps  are taken  and soon.  The petitioner has  finally sought appropriate directions to the authorities concerned  to take  immediate steps  to stop air pollution in the TTZ and save The Taj.      The Report  of the  Expert Committee  called "Report on Environmental  Impact  of  Mathura  Refinery"  (Varadharajan Committee) published  by the Government of India in 1978 has been annexed  along with  the writ petition. Para 4.1 of the conclusions therein is as under:-      "There  is   substantial  level  of      pollution of  sulphur  dioxide  and      particulate  matter   in  the  Agra      region. The  possible  sources  are      all coal  users consisting  of  two      Power Plants,  a  number  of  small      industries     mainly     foundries      (approximately 250)  and a  Railway      Shunting Yard.  As far as suspended      particulate matters  are concerned,      because    of    use    of    coal,      contribution will  be  substantial.      Even though  the  total  amount  of      emission of  sulphur  dioxide  from      these  sources  may  be  small,  on      account of  their proximity  to the      monuments,  their  contribution  to      the air quality of the zone will be      considerably high."      Varadharajan  Committee   made,   among   others,   the following recommendations:-      "Steps may  be taken to ensure that      no  new  industry  including  small      industries or other units which can      cause   pollution    are    located      northwest   of    the   Taj   Mahal      .................  Efforts  may  be      made to relocate the existing small      industries,    particularly     the      foundries, in an area south east of      Agra beyond  the Taj  Mahal so that      emissions  from   these  industries      will not be in the direction of the      monuments.       ..................      Similar considerations may apply to      large industries such as Fertilizer      & Petrochemicals.  Such  industries      which   are    likely   to    cause      environmental pollution  may not be      located in the neighbourhood of the      refinery.  The   Committee  further      recommends that  no large  industry      in  the   Agra   region   and   its      neighbourhood    be     established      without   conducting    appropriate      detailed  studies   to  assess  the      environmental   effect    of   such      industries   on    the   monuments.      Location should  be so chosen as to      exclude     any     increase     in      environmental  pollution   in   the      area.    ..........The    Committee      wishes to  record its  deep concern      regarding  the  existing  level  of      pollution in  Agra.  It  recommends      that an  appropriate  authority  be

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    created   which    could    monitor      emissions by  industries as well as      the  air   quality  at  Agra  on  a      continuous  basis.  This  authority      should be  vested  with  powers  to      direct industries causing pollution      to limit  the level of emission and      specify  such   measures   as   are      necessary to  reduce  the  emission      whenever the pollutant level at the      monuments    exceeds     acceptable      limits. The  Committee particularly      desires that  recommendations  made      in regard  to reduction of existing      pollution levels  at Agra should be      converted to a time-bound programme      and  should   be  implemented  with      utmost  speed.   ............   The      Committee  also   recommends   that      studies  should  be  undertaken  by      competent agencies  to explore  the      possibility   of   protecting   the      monuments  by   measures  such   as      provision of  a green  belt  around      Agra in  the region between Mathura      and   Agra.   ..............   Even      though   assurances    have    been      obtained  from  IOC  that  adequate      precaution  would   be   taken   to      contain the pollution on account of      using coal  in the power plant, the      Committee is  of the  opinion  that      till  such  time  this  problem  is      studied  in   depth  and   suitable      technologies have  been found to be      satisfactorily  in  use  elsewhere,      the use  of coal  in  the  refinery      power plant should be deferred."      The Central  Board for  the Prevention  and Control  of Water Pollution,  new Delhi,  published a report (Control of Urban  Pollution  Series  CUPS/7/1981-82)  under  the  title "Inventory and  Assessment  of  Pollution  Emission  in  and Around  Agra-Mathura   Region  (Abridged)".   The   relevant findings are as under:-      "Industrial activities which are in      operation  in  Agra  city  and  its      outskirts could  be categorized  as      (i)  Ferrous  Metal  Casting  using      Cupolas (Foundry); (ii) Ferro-alloy      and  Non-Ferrous   Castings   using      Crucibles,  Rotary   Furnaces  etc.      (iii) Rubber  Processing; (iv) Lime      Oxidation  and   Pulverising;   (v)      Engineering;  (vi)   Chemical;  and      (Table  4-1).   .............   The      contribution  of   sulphur  dioxide      through emission primarily from the      combustion    from     the    fuels      comprising hard  coke, steam  coal,      wood and  fuel oil  is estimated as      3.64 tonnes per day from industrial      activities in the Agra City and its      outskirts    (Table    5-3).    The      vehicular contribution as estimated      from  traffic   census  in  6  road

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    crossings is  only 65  kg a  day or      0.065 tonnes  a day  and should  be      considered   negligible   for   the      present   (Para   7.4).   ......The      Contribution  of   sulphur  dioxide      from  the   5  recognised  distinct      discrete sources  in tonnes per day      are  2.28,  2.28,  1.36,  1.21  and      0.065 from  (i) two  thermal  power      stations,  (ii)   foundries,   (ii)      other industries  in Agra  (iv) two      railway marshalling  yards and  (v)      Vehicular   traffic   respectively.      Omitting     contribution      from      vehicular traffic  as because it is      considered negligible, the relative      contributions  from   the  other  4      distinct sources are 32, 32, 19 and      16.9 per cent. With the elimination      of  the   first  and   the  further      sources-by  closing  down  the  two      thermal power station and replacing      coal fired  steam engines by diesel      engines   in    the   two   railway      marshalling yards-about 50 per cent      (48.9 to  be  exact)  cut  down  of      sulphur   dioxide    emission    is      expected."      The National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) gave  "Over-view report"  regarding  status  of  air pollution around  The Taj  in 1990.  Relevant  part  of  the report is as under:-      "The    sources    of    pollution,      including small  and  medium  scale      industrial units, are scattered all      around   Taj    Mahal.   High   air      pollution load  is thus pumped into      the Taj  air-shed. Sudden  rises in      concentration   level   are   often      recorded  in   all  directions   in      gaseous  as   well  as  particulate      pollutant depending  upon the local      micro climatic conditions. ........      ON four  occasions during  the five      year air  quality monitoring, the 4      hrly average  values of  802 at Taj      Mahal were  observed to  be  higher      than 300  ug/m3, i.e.  10 folds  of      the promulgated CPCB standard of 30      ug/m3  for   sensitive  areas.  The      values exceeded  even the  standard      of 120  ug/m3  set  for  industrial      zones. Statistical  analysis of the      recorded  data  indicate  that  40%      (cumulative percentage  level)  has      crossed  the   standard   set   for      sensitive  receptors/zones.   .....      The SPM  levels at  Taj Mahal  were      invariably  high   (more  than  200      ug/m3) and  exceeded  the  national      ambient air quality standard of 100      ug/m3   for   SPM   for   sensitive      locations barring  a  few  days  in      monsoon months. ..... Another study      during 1985-87 brought to fore that

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    the overall  status of  the ambient      air quality  within  the  trapezium      has significantly deteriorated over      this period."      The impact  of the  air quality  on The  Taj  has  been stated as under:-      "The rapid  industrial  development      of  Agra   -  Mathura   region  has      resulted in  acidic emissions  into      the atmosphere at an alarming rate.      This causes  serious concern on the      well being of Taj Mahal. .......The      gaseous pollutants  being acidic in      nature, significantly  impact  both      the biotic  as well  as the abiotic      components of  the  ecosystem  like      plants and  building material  like      marble and red stone".      This Court  on January  8, 1993  passed  the  following order:-      "We have  heard Mr. M.C. Mehta, the      petitioner in  person. According to      him, the  sources of  pollution  in      Agra region  as per  the report  of      Central Pollution Control Board are      iron    foundries,    Ferro-alloyed      industries, rubber processing, lime      processing,  engineering,  chemical      industry,  brick   refractory   and      vehicles. He  further  states  that      distant sources  of  pollution  are      the Mathura  Refinery and Ferozabad      Glass Industry.  It is necessary to      have a  detailed survey done of the      area  to   find  out   the   actual      industries and  foundries which are      working in  the region.  We  direct      the U.P. Pollution Control Board to      get a  survey done  of the area and      prepare   a   list   of   all   the      industries and  foundries which are      the sources  of  pollution  in  the      area.  The  pollution  Board  after      having the  survey done shall issue      notices to  all the  foundries  and      industries  in   that   region   to      satisfy the  Board  that  necessary      anti-pollution measures  have  been      undertaken     by      the     said      industries/foundries. The Pollution      Board  after  doing  this  exercise      shall submit a report to this Court      on or before May 5, 1993. A copy of      this order  be sent to the Chairman      and   Secretary,   U.P.   Pollution      Control Board  for  compliance  and      report as directed."      Pursuant to  the above  quoted order the U.P. Pollution Control Board  (the Board)  filed an  affidavit dated May 3, 1993. it  is stated  in the  affidavit that  as  per  survey report furnished  by the  Regional office  of the U.P. Board the industries of Agra Region were categorised as under:-                        Nature of Industry          Number of Industry (I)      Foundries                                    168

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(II)     Rubber Factories                              20 (III)    Engineering Industries                        46 (IV)     Chemical & other Industries                   55 (V)      Lime Kilns                                    03 (VI)     Refinery (Situated at Mathura)                01 (VII)    Glass Industries                              49          (situated at Firozabad) (VIII)   Brick Refractories &          Poulteries                                     09 (IX)     Bangle Industries                             120          (situated at Firozabad) (X)      Block Glass Industries                         40                                                        -----                                            TOTAL:       511                                                         ----      The affidavit  further states  that notices were issued to the  aforesaid 511  industries/foundries as  directed  by this Court.  Although mathura  Refinery is  included in  the list of  511 industries  but we  are not  dealing  with  the refinery in  this judgment.  The Mathura  Refinery is  being dealt with  separately.  All  the  foundries/industries  are represented  before  us  through  the  national  chamber  of Industries  and   Commerce,  U.P.,  Agra,  U.P.  Chamber  of Commerce and  the Glass  Industries Syndicate.  Some of  the individual industries  have also  been  represented  through their learned counsel.      This Court  considered the affidavit filed by the Board and passed the following order on May 5, 1993:-      "Pursuant to this court’s order dt.      January 8,  1993, an  affidavit has      been filed  by the  U.P.  Pollution      Control Board.  It has  been stated      therein  that   in  terms  of  this      Court’s  order   dated  January  8,      1993, notices  have been  issued by      the Board to 511 industries in Agra      region. The  names and addresses of      the  said   industries  have   been      enclosed along  with the affidavit.      The industries are required to file      their replies to the notices by May      5, 1993  (today). ....... We direct      the U.P. Pollution Control Board to      issue a  public notice  by  getting      the same  published  in  two  local      newspapers   and    two    national      newspapers calling upon all the 511      industries to instal anti-pollution      mechanism/affluent treatment plants      if they  have not  already done so.      All the  511 industries  be  called      upon to file replies to the notices      already issued  by the Board within      further time  of eight  weeks  from      the date  of the publication of the      notices  in  the  newspapers.  This      publication shall  be  done  within      two weeks  from  today.  After  the      replies  from  the  industries  are      received  and   processed  by   the      Board, the  board  may,  if  it  so      desires,   inspect   any   of   the      industries in order to find out the      correctness of the replies filed by      the  Industries.   The  matter   be

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    listed on August 10, 1993."      Pursuant to this Court’s order (quoted above) the board filed affidavit  dated August  5, 1993  wherein it is stated that public  notice was published in two local newspapers of Agra on  may 17, 1993 and two National Newspapers on may 18, 1993 calling  upon the  industries  to  file  their  replies during the  extended time. The affidavit states that all the listed industries  were polluting  industries and 507 out of them, had  not even  installed  any  air  pollution  control device. The 212 industries who did not respond to the notice and failed to take any step towards installing the pollution control devices  were closed  by the  order dated august 27, 1993 with immediate effect. The closure order was to operate till the time necessary pollution control devices were to be set up by the industries concerned.      Meanwhile, NEERI  submitted its  report  dated  October 16/18,  1993  regarding  sulphur  dioxide  emission  control measures at  Mathura Refinery.  Since the  Mathura  Refinery matter is being dealt with separately it is not necessary to go into  the details  of the  report. Suffice it to say that apart from  short term  strategy, the  NEERI recommended the use of  natural gas,  setting up  of  Hydro  cracking  unit, improved sulphur  Recovery Unit,  Chemo-biochemical  Sulphur Recovery and  the  setting  up  of  green  belt  around  the refinery. The  NEERI report  examined in  detail  the  decay mechanism  and   status  of   The  Taj   marble.   How   the deterioration of  marble  occurs,  is  stated  by  NEERI  as under:-      "The deterioration of marble occurs      in two  modes. In  the first  mode,      weathering  takes   place  if   the      marble is sheltered under domes and      cornices, and protected from direct      impact of  rain. Here  a  crust  is      formed, which  after  some  period,      exfoliates   due    to   mechanical      stresses. In case of marble exposed      to  rain,   gradual  reduction   of      material occurs,  as  the  reaction      products   are   washed   away   by      rainfall  and   fresh   marble   is      exposed. The  crusts are formed due      to   Sulphur   Dioxide,   but   the      cumulative    effects     of    all      pollutants are move damaging. It is      also  observed  that  trace  metals      present in  fly ash  and  suspended      particulate matter, e.g. manganese,      Iron and  Vanadium act as catalysts      for oxidation  of Sulphur  Dioxide,      and in  turn enhance degradation of      marble calcite to gypsum."      The NEERI  report indicates the air-pollution effect on The Taj in the following words:-      "The  Taj   Mahal  marble   samples      analysed by  NEERI in  1993  reveal      that  the  black  soot  on  certain      protected  surfaces  contains  0.6%      Calcium and  traces of Sulphate. X-      ray diffraction  studies  indicated      that   soot   a   quartz   (Silicon      Dioxide) are the major constituents      of the  black coating  at Taj Mahal      (Lal and  Holden,  ES  &  T,  April      1981). The  origin of  soot can  be

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    traced back to the fuel consumption      around  the   sensitive   receptor,      while  quartz   is   derived   from      geocrustal   origin    and   causes      surface abrasions.  Soot in  itself      is not  chemically destructive, but      with  tar  it  acts  as  a  soiling      agent.  Absorption  of  the  acidic      gases  is   enhanced  due   to  the      presence   of   soot/smoky   matter      resulting  in  long  term  effects.      Further,  the   presence  of   soot      reduces the  aesthetic value of the      monument. Ambient  air  around  Taj      Mahal is  polluted  primarily  from      point/line sources  and has adverse      impacts  on  building  material  by      alternation of marble and sandstone      structures   at   micro-crystalline      level.  The  earlier  studies  have      revealed that the concentrations of      gaseous    pollutants    and    SPM      (predominantly  soot   and   carbon      particles)  are   relatively   high      during winter  months  due  to  the      frequent    inversion    conditions      restricting  vertical   dispersion.      During monsoon  seasons,  suspended      particles are  washed away and this      cycle  of  pollutant  built-up  and      subsequent    removal     continues      exposing  fresh   surface  of   the      monument to the pollutants."      On November  19, 1993,  this Court passed the following order:-      "On November  5, 1993, we suggested      to Mr. N.N. Goswami, learned senior      advocate, appearing  on  behalf  of      the Union  of India to find out the      possibility of  providing Gas  as a      fuel to  the Glass  Industries  and      the  Foundries   around  Agra.  Mr.      Goswamy states  that he  is already      in  touch   with  the   authorities      concerned  and  needs  little  more      time.  We   give  him   time   till      November 26,  1993.  He  must  file      concrete proposal  before the  next      date of hearing. meanwhile, we also      issue  Notice   to  the  Secretary,      Ministry  of  Petroleum,  Govt.  of      India   and   the   Chairman,   Gas      Authority of  India, returnable  on      November 26, 1993."      This Court  on November 26, 1993 examined the affidavit filed by  the Gas  Authority of  India Ltd. (GAIL) regarding supply of natural gas to the industries operating in TTZ and passed the following order:-      "Pursuant  to  this  Court’s  order      dated November  19, 1993,  Mr. R.P.      Sharma, General  Manager, Marketing      and  Planning,   Gas  Authority  of      India Ltd.  Has filed  an affidavit      dated November 23, 1993. Mr. Sharma      is also  present in  Court. It  has

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    been stated  in the  affidavit  and      also  orally  by  Mr.  Sharma  that      without  undertaking  the  detailed      survey   with    regard   to    the      assessment  of   demand  and  other      technical requirements it would not      be possible  to proceed  further in      this matter.           Dr.  Khanna,  Director,  NEERI      states that  some sort of survey in      this respect  has already been done      by the  State of  U.P.  He  further      states  that   so  far  as  Mathura      Refinery is  concerned,  NEERI  has      done   the    survey   under    the      directions of this court. According      to him,  the work  of doing further      survey  on   behalf  of   the   Gas      Authority  of  India  Ltd.  can  be      undertaken by  NEERI if  the  terms      are  suitable.   Mr.  R.P.  Sharma,      General Manager,  Gas Authority  of      India  ltd.  states  that  the  Gas      Authority shall send their terms of      reference to  the NEERI  within ten      days. Let  this be done. Dr. Khanna      states that  they will  respond  to      the terms within a week thereafter.           Mr.  Pradeep   Misra,  learned      counsel appearing  on behalf of the      U.P. State  Pollution Control Board      states that  whatever data  in this      matter is  available with the State      of U.P.  shall be supplied to NEERI      within a week.           To be  listed on  December 17,      1993.  We   request   Dr.   Khanna,      Director,  NEERI   and   mr.   R.P.      Sharma,   General    Manager,   Gas      Authority of  India  Ltd.  (or  any      other officer  on his behalf) to be      present in  Court on  December  17,      1993."      The NEERI  in its  project proposal  dated December 19, 1993 regarding  feasibility of utilisation of natural gas as replacement of  conventional fuel  in the industrial sectors of Agra, Mathura and Firozabad stated as under:-      "The Ministry  of  Environment  and      Forests   (MEF),    retained    the      National Environmental  Engineering      Research   Institute   (NEERI)   in      December 1992  to redefine  the Taj      Trapezium. The  study was completed      in July  1993. Stringent  pollution      control   regulations   have   been      stipulated  by  the  Government  of      India  but  the  industries  within      Agra  area   are  not  meeting  the      prescribed emission  standards. One      of  the   reasons   is   that   the      industries use  coal and  coke  for      their  fuel  requirements.  Amongst      the options  proposed  in  the  Air      Environment Management  Plan in Taj      Trapezium   report,    NEERI    has

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    suggested change  over  to  cleaner      fuel like ONG for mitigation of air      pollution in the region. As per the      directives of  the Hon’ble  Supreme      Court of  India, NEERI  proposed  a      study      on       techno-economic      feasibility   of   utilisation   of      compressed natural  Gas (CNG)  as a      replacement of  solid/liquid  fuels      (eg, Coal,  FO, LSHS  etc.) in  the      industrial sectors of Agra, Mathura      and Firozabad  region, based on the      Terms of  Reference  formulated  by      the Gas  Authority  of  India  Ltd.      (GAIL).           The existing HBJ pipeline laid      by  GAIL   for   transmission   and      distribution  of   CNG   from   the      Western  Offshore   Region  passing      through  Gujarat,  Madhya  Pradesh,      Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and      Haryana can be tapped to serve this      sensitive area.  Auraiya  in  Uttar      Pradesh  is  the  nearest  possible      tapping  point   which  is   at  an      approximate   distance    of    170      Kilometers from Agra. presently the      total availability of CNG ex-Hazira      is of  the order  of 20 MMSCMD, and      is expected  to increase  to  38-39      MMSCMD in  1998-99 as  projected by      GAIL. Based  on the existing energy      demand,   NEERI    has    projected      approximately   1.00   MMSCMD   CNG      requirements for  Agra, Mathura and      Firozabad region.           The price  of CNG  at  Auraiya      (exclusive of taxes) range from Rs.      2500-2700/1000  m3  which  will  be      further altered  by  Government  of      India    after     1995     (GAIL’s      projection)."      This Court  by the  order dated February 11, 1994 asked the NEERI to examine the possibility of using propane or any other safe  fuel instead  of coal/coke  by the industries in the TTZ.  This Court  also directed  the UP State Industrial Development  Corporation   (the   Corporation)   to   locate sufficient areas outside the TTZ to relocate the industries. The operative part of the order is as under:-      "We  requested   Mr.  V.R.   Reddy,      learned    Additional     Solicitor      General on January 14, 1994 to have      discussion   with   the   concerned      authorities  and   assist   us   in      probing    the    possibility    of      providing some  safe  fuel  to  the      foundries  and   other   industries      situated in  the Taj  trapezium. We      are thankful to Mr. Reddy for doing      good  job  and  placing  before  us      various   suggestions    in    that      direction. Mr.  Reddy has suggested      that NEERI  be asked to examine the      possible  effects  of  the  use  of      Propane as  a safe  fuel  from  the

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    point  of   view   of   atmospheric      pollution. We accept the suggestion      and  request   Dr.  P.   Khanna  to      examine the  feasibility of Propane      as a  possible alternative  to  the      present fuel which is being used by      the foundaries and other industries      in the  Taj trapezium.  This may be      done within  2  weeks  from  today.      Copy of  this order  be sent to the      Director, NEERI  within 2 days from      today.   Government    of    India,      Ministry of  Environment shall  pay      the  charges   of  NEERI   in  this      respect.           We  further  direct  the  U.P.      State    Industrial     Development      Corporation  through  its  Managing      Director   to   locate   sufficient      landed area  possibly  outside  the      Taj trapezium  where the  foundries      and other industries located within      the Taj trapezium can be ultimately      shifted. The Corporation shall also      indicate  the   various  incentives      which  the  Government/U.P.S.I.D.C.      might   offer   to   the   shifting      industries. The  managing  director      of the  U.P.S.I.D.C. shall  file an      affidavit before  this Court  on or      before March 4, 1994 indicating the      steps taken  by the  Corporation in      this respect.  We also  direct  the      Gas Authority  of India to indicate      the price  of  Propane  which  they      might have  to ultimately supply to      the  industries   within  the   Taj      trapezium or  the industries  which      are to  be shifted  from within the      Taj trapezium.  This  may  be  done      within 4 weeks from today. We place      the statement  of  the  outcome  of      discussion held  by Mr.  Reddy with      the   concerned    authorities   on      record."      This court  on February  25, 1994  examined  the  issue relating to  supply of  natural gas  to the mathura Refinery and the  industries in  the TTZ  and  passed  the  following order:-      "With a  view to save time and Red-      Tape we  are of  the view  that  it      would be useful to have direct talk      with the  highest  authorities  who      can take  instant decision  in  the      matter. We,  therefore, request the      Chairman of the Oil and natural Gas      Commission,  the  Chairman  of  the      Indian  Oil   Corporation  and  the      Chairman of  the Gas  Authority  of      India to  be personally  present in      this court on 8.3.1994 at 2.00 PM.           We    further    direct    the      Secretary, Ministry  of  Petroleum,      to depute  a responsible officer to      be present  in the  court on 8.3.94

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    at 2 PM."      The Corporation  filed affidavit  dated March  3,  1994 indicating the  location/area of  various industrial estates which were  available for  relocation of the industries form TTZ. After  examining the  contents of  the affidavit,  this Court on March 4, 1994 passed the following order:-      "Mr. K.K. Venugopal, learned sen or      advocate appears for the U.P. State      Industrial Corporation Limited. The      Corporation has  filed an affidavit      wherein  it   is  stated  that  the      Corporation  has   220   acres   of      developed land  in industrial area,      Kosi (Kotwa)  where 151  plots  are      available for  immediate allotment.      It   is    further   stated    that      undeveloped  land   measuring   330      acres is  available in  Salimpur in      Aligarh District. Both these places      are about 60/65 Kms. away from Agra      and are outside the Taj environment      Trapezium. it  is also  stated that      85 acres  of  undeveloped  land  is      also available  at Etah,  which  is      about 80 Kms. away from Agra.           Before we issue any directions      regrading the  development of  area      or allotment  of  land  to  various      industries, it is necessary to know      the exact  number of  air polluting      industries  which   are   operating      within the  Taj Trapezium which are      to   be    shifted   outside    the      trapezium.   Mr.   Pradeep   Misra,      learned counsel  for the U.P. State      Pollution  Control   Board   fairly      states that  he  would  direct  the      Board Secretariat to prepare a list      on the  basis of  their record  and      survey, and submit the same in this      Court within a week from today.           Mr. S.K.  Jain and  Mr. Sanjay      Parikh,   Advocates    have    been      appearing for  various  industries.      They  also  undertake  to  get  the      information  in  this  respect  and      give a  list to  the U.P. Pollution      Control Board.  We  further  direct      the   Secretary,    Department   of      Industries,  Government   of  Uttar      pradesh, to  file/cause to  file  a      List  of   all  the  air  polluting      industries within the Taj Trapezium      in this  Court within  a week  from      today."      On March  8, 1994  the Chairman,  General  Manager  and other  officers   of  various  commissions/corporations  and departments were  present in  Court. After hearing them, the court passed the following order:-      "Pursuant  to  this  Court’s  order      dated February  25, 1994, Shri S.K.      Manglik,  Chairman   and   Managing      Director,  Oil   and  natural   Gas      Commission  along  with  Shri  Atul      Chandra,  Group   General   Manager

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    (Operation),   Shri   K.K.   Kapur,      Chairman and Managing Director, Gas      Authority of  India along with Shri      R.P.   Sharma,    General   Manager      (Marketing)   Shri   B.K.   Bakshi,      Chairman  and   Managing  Director,      Indian Oil  Corporation along  with      Shri A.P.  Choudhary and  Shri S.R.      Shah, Joint  Secretary, Ministry of      Petroleum, are present in Court. We      place on  record  our  appreciation      for   having   responded   to   our      request.           We  have  discussed  our  view      point  with   Shri  Manglik,   Shri      Kapur, Shri  Shah and  Shri Bakshi.      We have  requested them  to file in      this Court  a note each with regard      to the  discussion we have had with      them in the Court. This may be done      within five days."      When the  matter came up for consideration on March 31, 1994, this  Court while examining the question of relocating the industries, passed the following order:-      "......  Mr.   Venugopal,   learned      senior counsel  appearing  for  the      UPSIDC states that the UPSIDC would      examine the  demand of  each of the      industry and  thereafter locate the      requisite  area   outside  the  Taj      Trapezium   for    shifting   these      industries.  We  propose  to  issue      public/individual notices  inviting      objections/suggestions   from   the      industries concerned. Mr. Venugopal      states that he would prepare & file      the format of the said notice. This      matter  to   come  up  for  further      consideration on 8.4.94."      This Court  on April 11, 1994 examined the NEERI report dated July,  1993. The  Ministry of  Environment and Forests retained NEERI  in January,  1993 to  undertake an extensive study with  a view  to  redefining  the  Taj-Trapezium)  and realienating the  area management  environmental  plan.  The NEERI submitted  its final report to the government of India in July, 1993. A copy of the report was placed on the record of this Court. The report was prepared under the guidance of Dr. P.  Khanna, director, NEERI and the project leaders were Dr. A.N.  Aggarwal and  Dr. Mrs.  Thakra. In addition, there was a  team of  about 30  scientists  participating  in  the project. The  NEERI in  its report  has found as a fact that the industries  in the  TTZ  (districts  of  Agra,  mathura, Ferozabad and  Bharatpur) are  the main  source of pollution causing damage  to the  Taj. The NEERI has suggested various measures for  controlling the  pollution in the area. One of the suggestions  made  is  the  shifting  of  the  polluting industries to  an area  outside the  TTZ. The  other notable recommendation  is   the  setting   up  of  the  Green  Belt Development Plan  around The  Taj to save it from the effect of pollution.  Under the Directions of this Court, the green belt as  suggested by  NEERI is  already in  the process  of being planted/grown  around the  Taj. The  matter  is  being processed separately.      This court  on April  11, 1994  after  hearing  learned counsel for the parties, passed the order indicating that as

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a first  phase the  industries situated in Agra be relocated out of  TTZ. While  the industries  were being  heard on the issue of relocation, this court on April 29, 1994 passed the following order:-      "....Efforts are being made to free      the prestigious Taj from pollution,      if there  is any,  because  of  the      industries located  in  and  around      Agra. It  is further clear from our      order that  the basis of the action      initiated  by  this  Court  is  the      NEERI’s report  which was submitted      to the Government of India in July,      1993.           We are  of the  view  that  it      would be in the interest of justice      to           have           another      investigation/report from a reputed      technical/Engineering    authority.      Ministry   of    Environment    and      Forests, government  of  India  may      examine this  aspect and appoint an      expert  authority  (from  India  or      abroad) to  undertake the survey of      the  Taj   Trapezium  Environmental      Area and  make a  report  regarding      the  source  of  pollution  in  the      Trapezium and  the measures  to  be      adopted to  control the  same.  The      authority  can  also  identify  the      polluting  industries  in  the  Taj      Trapezium. We,  therefore,  request      Mr. Kamal  Nath, Minister Incharge,      Department   of   Environment   and      Forests, to  personally  look  into      this  matter   and   identify   the      authority who  is to  be  entrusted      with this  job. This  must be  done      within three weeks from the receipt      of  this   order.   A   responsible      Officer of  the Ministry shall file      an affidavit  in this  Court within      two weeks  indicating the  progress      made  by   the  Ministry   in  this      respect. Registry  to send  copy of      the  above   quoted  order  to  the      Secretary, Ministry  of Environment      and Forests  and also  to Mr. Kamal      Nath, personally, within three days      from today."      Pursuant to  above  quoted  order,  the  government  of India, Ministry  of Environment  and Forests,  by the  order dated May  18, 1994  appointed an  exert committee under the chairmanship of Dr. S. Varadharajan.      Meanwhile the  Indian Oil  Corporation placed on record its report  on the  feasibility study  regarding the  use of safe alternate  fuel by  the Mathura  Refinery.  The  report suggested the  use of  natural gas as the most optimum fuel. Once the natural gas is brought to Mathura there would be no difficulty in  providing the same to the other industries in TTZ and outside TTZ. This Court on August 5, 1994 passed the following order:-      "Pursuant  to  this  Court’s  order      dated  31.3.1994   the  Indian  Oil      Corporation has  placed  on  record

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    the final report on the feasibility      study for  using alternate  fuel at      Mathura Refinery.  In the beginning      of the  Report summary  along  with      Indian Oil Corporation’s experience      on  the   subject  is   given.  The      conclusion of  the  summary  is  as      under:-      "Out of the various alternate fuels      (viz Natural  Gas, propane,  LPG  &      Nephtha) studied for use in process      fired  heaters   and   boilers   in      Mathura Refinery,  Natural  Gas  is      the most  optimum fuel  in view  of      wide   international    experience,      safety  &   minimum  implementation      time frame.  Other alternate  fuels      Propane, LPG & Nephtha are valuable      saleable  products   and  therefore      scarcely used  in the  world  as  a      fuel  for  process  fired  heaters.      Liquid naphtha  forms vapour clouds      from possible  leakages from burner      flanges  on   underside  of   fired      heather. In  view of  this, it  may      not be  prudent to recommend use of      naphtha in large size heaters (e.g.      AVU furnaces)  & boilers of Mathura      Refinery with air preheaters."           The feasibility  study  report      specifically suggests  that natural      gas  is  the  most  economical  and      appropriate alternate-fuel  for the      Mathura Refinery.  The question for      consideration,   is   :   By   what      method/route the  natural gas is to      reach Mathura and made available to      the Refinery  at Agra.  The summary      of the  report in  para 4.4 in this      respect states as under:-           "A new  loop line  of 36  inch      diameter from  Bijaipur to Dadri is      being  laid  by  Gas  Authority  of      India Limited  (GAIL) under the Gas      Rehabilitation    and     expansion      project  and  is  scheduled  to  be      commissioned by  June 1996.  Supply      of Natural  Gas to Mathura Refinery      will require  laying a  new 10 inch      diameter 13  km  long  branch  line      tapped off from the above expansion      project at  Shahpur.  The  proposed      branch line to Mathura Refinery can      be  completed   within   the   time      schedule of  commissioning the  new      loop line as above."           Mr. M.C. Mehta, the petitioner      in-person  herein   has,   however,      suggested that  instead  of  laying      the pipe line from Bijapur to Dadri      via Mathura, it would be economical      and time  saving  exercise  to  lay      down  the   lines  from   Auria  or      Babrala to  Mathura.  According  to      him, this would be in conformity to

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    the  Report  already  submitted  by      NEERI  in   this  respect.  he  has      further submitted that if the pipe-      line is  drawn from Auria, it would      also  serve   the   industries   at      Ferozabad and Agra. learned counsel      for  the   Indian  Oil  Corporation      states  that  he  would  place  the      suggestion before  the  experts  of      the  Corporation  and  assist  this      Court on  8.8.1994. He  may do  so.      Learned counsel for the Corporation      may also ask a responsible officer,      who can explain the whole situation      to the  court,  to  be  present  in      Court on 8.8.1994 at 2.00 p.m."      The matter  came up for further consideration on August 8, 1994 when this court passed the following order:-      "Mr.  B.B.   Chakravarty,   General      manager,  Safety   and  Environment      Protection, Indian Oil Corporation,      is present  before us. According to      him the  pipe line suggested by Mr.      M.C. Mehta  (from Auria  to Mathura      or from  Babrala to Mathura) is not      feasible.  According   to  him  the      scheme of laying down the pipe line      from Bijapur  to Dadri  via Mathura      has already  been sanctioned and is      being   implemented.   he   further      states that  apart  from  supplying      gas to  Dadri, the  line when  laid      down, shall  also be  in a position      to carry  the supplies required for      the Mathura Refinery.           In the final report dated July      12, 1994,  submitted by  the Indian      Oil Corporation  it has been stated      that  the  new  pipe  line  of  36"      diameter from  Babrala to  Dadri is      being   laid    under    the    Gas      Rehabilitation    and     Expansion      Project  and  is  scheduled  to  be      commissioned by  June, 1996.  it is      further  stated   that  a  new  10"      diameter 13  K.M. long  branch line      tapped off from the above expansion      project  would  also  be  completed      within the  above time schedule. We      direct the  Gas Authority  of India      to file  an affidavit  through some      responsible  officer,   within  two      weeks  from  the  receipt  of  this      order, showing  the  progress  made      till date  in the project of laying      down the  pipeline from  Babrala to      dadri.  The  affidavit  shall  also      state as  to whether it is possible      to    prepone     the    date    of      commissioning of  the project  from      June, 1996 to December, 1995.           Copy of  the order  be sent to      Gas  Authority  of  India  and  the      Indian Oil Corporation."      Pursuant to  this Court’s  order dated October 21, 1994

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the  GAIL   filed  an   affidavit  indicating  the  progress regarding the  laying of pipe-line for the supply of natural gas to Mathura Refinery and the industries in the TTZ. It is stated in  the affidavit that all efforts were being made to complete the project by December, 1996.      Vardharajan committee  submitted its  report  regarding preservation of Taj Mahal and Agra monuments in two volumes. After hearing learned counsel for the parties, this court on August 3, 1995 passed the following order:-      "Vardharajan Committee appointed by      the  Ministry  of  Environment  and      forests, Government  of  India  has      submitted  its   report   regarding      preservation of  Taj Mahal and Agra      Monuments in  two volumes. Mr. M.C.      Mehta and  Mr. Krishan Mahajan have      taken us  through some parts of the      report. There  are  now  two  major      reports on  the subject. There is a      NEERI  report   to  which  we  have      referred to  in our  various orders      from time to time. NEERI report was      submitted sometime in July 1993. In      its report, NEERI suggested that in      order  to   preserve  Taj   it   is      necessary  to   re-locate   various      industries    located     in    Taj      Trapezium.     The      Vardharajan      Committee Report  now received also      suggests  the   relocation  of  the      industries    situated    in    Taj      Trapezium.     The      Vardharajan      Committee has  also  given  various      other   useful    suggestions   for      improving      the      atmospheric      environmental  quality  around  Taj      and also  for preservation  of  Taj      Mahal. It  is the  primary duty  of      the Government  of India,  Ministry      of  Environment   and  Forests   to      safeguard Taj  Mahal  from  getting      deteriorated.   We    direct    the      Ministry     through     Secretary,      Ministry of Environment and Forests      to examine  the  NEERI  report  and      also  the  Vardharajan  Report  and      indicate  in   positive  terms  the      measures  which   the  Ministry  is      intending to  take to  preserve the      Taj Mahal.           We are  further prima facie of      the view  that in  view of  the two      reports (NEERI  & Vardharajan), the      polluting   industries    in    Taj      Trapezium   shall    have   to   be      relocated.  it   cannot   be   done      without   there    being   positive      assistance  from  the  Ministry  of      Environment &  Forests,  Government      of India  and the  State  of  Uttar      Pradesh.  We   direct   these   two      authorities to  come out  with  re-      allocation scheme  prepared  within      four weeks from the receipt of this      order.

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         An affidavit of the Secretary,      Ministry of  Environment &  Forests      shall be filed in this Court within      a period of four weeks."      Pursuant  to   the  above   quoted  order,   Additional Secretary in  the national  River Conservation  Directorate, Ministry of  Environment and  Forests, New  Delhi  filed  an affidavit before  this Court. After examining the affidavit, this Court passed the following order:-      "Pursuant to the above quoted order      an affidavit  dated 3.8.95 has been      failed by  shri  vishwanath  Anand,      Additional   Secretary    in    the      national     River     Conservation      Directorate,      Ministry       of      Environment and forests, new Delhi.      Various  aspects  have  been  dealt      with in  the said affidavit. So far      the question  of re-location of the      industries from  Taj  Trapezium  is      concerned  no  positive  stand  has      been indicated  by the  Ministry of      Environment, government  of  India.      As indicated  by us  in  our  order      quoted above two expert reports are      before  the  Government  of  India.      ’NEERI’ gave  its report as back as      July,   1993    and    Varadharajan      Committee Report  was submitted  to      the  government   in  April,  1995.      Although this Court was prima facie      of  the  view  that  the  polluting      industries in  Taj Trapezium  would      have to be relocated but this court      finally left  it to the Ministry of      Environment and  Forest to  examine      the  two   reports  and   give  its      response   to    this   court.   We      personally requested Mr. Kamal nath      the than  Minister  of  Environment      and Forests  to examine  the matter      and have the scheme for re-location      of industries  from  Taj  Trapezium      framed within the time indicated by      this Court.  Nothing  positive  has      come  before   us.  We  have  today      discussed  this  aspect  at  length      with the  learned Solicitor General      Mr. Dipankar  Gupta. Once  again we      request mr.  Rajesh Pilot, Minister      of   Environment    and    Forests,      Government of India to have the two      reports examined  expeditiously. It      is of  utmost importance  that  the      pollution in  the Taj  Trapezium be      controlled.   We    want   positive      response from the Ministry."      There being  no helpful response from the Government of India, we finally hard the matter at length for several days and are  disposing of  the issues  raised before  us by this judgment.      This Court  on March 14, 1996 directed the GAIL, Indian Oil Corporation  and the  UP  State  Industrial  Development Corporation to indicate the industrial areas outside the TTZ which would  be connected  with the gas supply net-work. The

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order passed was as under:-      "Mr. Reddy,  the learned Additional      Solicitor General  after consulting      Mr.   C.P.    Jain,    the    Chief      Environmental  Manager,  New  Delhi      has stated  that mechanical process      for  bringing   gas  near   Mathura      Refinery  shall   be  completed  by      December, 1996.  He further  stated      that  the  commissioning  would  be      done by  January, 1997.  We have on      record the  undertaking of  the Gas      Authority of  India that  while the      pipe line  is being constructed the      branch pipe  line for supplying gas      to  Mathura  Refinery  and  to  the      industries shall  also be completed      side by  side. We  direct  the  Gas      Authority  of   India,  Indian  Oil      Corporation  and   the  U.P.  State      Industrial Development  Corporation      to file  an affidavit in this Court      within two  weeks of the receipt of      this order  indicating as  to which      of the industrial areas outside the      Taj Trapezium  would  be  connected      with the  gas supply  net work.  We      may  mention  that  the  PSCDC  has      already  filed  affidavit  in  this      Court indicating various industrial      Estates  which   can  be  developed      outside the Taj Trapezium."      Pursuant to  the above  quoted order of this Court, the General Manager,  GAIL filed  affidavit dated April 2, 1996. After examining the contents of the affidavit, this Court on April 10, 1996 passed the following order:-      "Pursuant  to  this  Court’s  order      dated March  14, 1996 Mr. PC Gupta,      General   manager    (Civil),   Gas      Authority  of   India   has   filed      affidavit dated  April 2,  1996. It      is stated in the affidavit that the      is stated in the affidavit that the      Ministry of  Petroleum and  Natural      Gas  has   already  allocated  0.60      MMSCMD  for   distribution  to  the      industrial  units   in   Agra   and      Ferozabad. It is stated that as per      the time  schedule already filed in      this  Court,  the  two  pipe  lines      shall  be  completed  by  December,      1996. It is further stated that the      quantity of  gas as mentioned above      is  only   for  the   purposes   of      supplying   the    same   to    the      industries located  within the  Taj      Trapezium. We  have no  doubt  that      while laying  down the  supply line      within the city of Agra, the safety      of Taj  and also  the people living      in the  city of  Agra shall have to      be taken into consideration. We are      told that expertise in this respect      is  available  with  the  GAIL.  If      necessary, the  opinion  of  NEERI,

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    which has  been associated  by this      Court in Taj Trapezium matters, can      also be obtained by the GAIL.           We    have    already    heard      arguments regarding  relocation  of      industries from Taj Trapezium. Some      of the  industries which are not in      a position  to get  gas connections      or which  are  otherwise  polluting      may have  to be  relocated  outside      Taj Trapezium.  The GAIL  may  also      examine whether  in  the  event  of      availability of  more  quantity  of      gas, the  same can  be supplied  to      the  industries   outside  the  Taj      Trapezium which  are located in the      vicinity from where the gas pipe is      passing.           Mr. Gupta  has further  stated      that for  the  purposes  of  laying      distribution network within the Taj      Trapezium, GAIL  is establishing  a      joint  venture   Company.  However,      pending  formation   of  the  joint      venture   Company,   the   required      functions are  being  performed  by      GAIL. It  is stated  that GAIL  had      advertised comparative  prices  and      heat equivalent of various fuels in      the newspapers  circulated in  Agra      and   Ferozabad   to   enable   the      industries,  who   are  prospective      consumers of  gas evaluate  to  the      economics of  conversion to gas. So      far 214  parties from  Agra and 364      parties   from    Ferozabad    have      responded.   According    to    the      affidavit these responses are being      processed.  Mr.   Reddy,   on   our      asking, states  that he  would have      the matter  examined  and  file  an      affidavit in  this Court within two      weeks  indicating  the  time  frame      regarding     the     laying     of      distribution net  work  within  the      Taj Trapezium.  Mr.  Reddy  further      states that some land shall have to      be required  for  the  purposes  of      constructing city  Gate Stations at      Agra and  Ferozabad. He states that      the   cooperation   of   the   U.P.      Government    is    required    for      acquiring the  land. We  direct the      Collector,   Agra    as   well   as      Collector, Ferozabad  to render all      assistance  to  GAIL  in  acquiring      land  for   setting  up   the   two      stations for the public purposes."      This court  on September  12, 1996 passed the following order regarding  the safety  measures to be taken during the construction and  operation of  the gas  net-work in the Taj Trapezium.  The  court  also  recorded  the  undertaking  by learned counsel  for the  industries that  the industries in TTZ are  taking steps to approach the Gas Authority of India for gas connections:

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    "Pursuant  to  this  Court’s  order      dated April 10, 1996 and subsequent      order dated  May 10, 1996, Mr. P.C.      Gupta,   General    Manager,    Gas      Authority of  India  has  filed  an      affidavit.  It  is  stated  in  the      affidavit that necessary directions      in the  pipe-line design  corrosion      protection,    protection    during      construction and  during operations      have  been   taken   by   the   Gas      Authority of  India. It  is for the      Central Pollution  Control Board or      the Sate  Pollution  Control  Board      concerned  to   examine  the  legal      position and  do  the  needful,  if      anything is  to be  done under law.      Mr. Gupta,  in para  5, has further      stated as under:      "However, in its endeavour Gail has      not  received  sufficient  response      from the industrialists in the City      of    Agra,    where    prospective      industrial consumers  of  gas  have      not yet  worked out  how to convert      the couple  furnaces to  gas  fired      ones. Hence,  GAIL apprehends  that      after     it     has     undertaken      provisioning  such   an   expensive      infrastructure exercise, it may not      have enough  consumers for  the gas      supplies in  Agra at  least  during      the near  future of commencement of      the supply.  This Hon’ble court may      therefore, direct  the  prospective      consumers to  inform  this  Hon’ble      Court  of   their  willingness   to      convert to gas."           Mr.  Sibal   and  Mr.  Parekh,      learned counsel  appearing for most      of the  industries have informed us      that  the   industries  are  taking      steps to  approach the GAIL for gas      connection.  Mr.   Parekh   further      states  that   most  of  them  have      already done  it. This  is a matter      between the industries and GAIL. It      is  for  their  benefits  that  the      industries should approach the GAIL      for gas connection."      The NEERI  submitted a  Technical Report dated March 7, 1994 pertaining  to  "Issues  Associated  with  Fuel  Supply Alternatives for  Industries in  Agra-Mathura Region". Paras 2.4.1 and para 3 of the Report are as under:-      "2.4 Safety Requirements      2.4.1 NG  : The  use of NG involves      the defining  of No  Gas  Zone  for      safe distribution. The new sites in      Agra and Firozabad industries being      identified  by  the  Government  of      Uttar Pradesh  shall minimise  this      hazard as  the  industrial  estates      shall be  suitably designed  for NG      distribution.           The   new   industrial   sites

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    should preferably be out of the Taj      Trapezium.   The   incentives   for      industries   to    shift   to   new      industrial  estates   need  to   be      established   to    ensure   speedy      implementation.      xxxxxx          xxxxxxx       xxxxx      3.0 Summary           The various  issues raised  in      this report  pertaining to the fuel      supply    alternatives    to    the      industries in Agra-Firozabad region      and the  Mathura Refinery,  can  be      summarized as:      -    Need   for    relocation    of      industries.      -    Availability of  cleaner  fuel      (present and future)      -    Environmental  benefits   from      alternate fuels      -    Safety considerations      The recommendations  are summarized      hereunder:      -    Shifting    of     small-scale      polluting  industries  outside  the      Taj Trapezium  on industrial estate      sites  to   be  identified  by  the      Government of Uttar Pradesh;      -    Provision of  natural  gas  to      the  industries   in   Agra-Mathura      region and Mathura Refinery"      Mr. M.C.  Mehta, Mr.  Kapil  Sibal  and  other  learned counsel representing the Agra-industries took us through the April-1995   Varadharajan    Committee   Report.    Relevant paragraphs of the Report are reproduced hereunder:-      "4....   The   Expert   Committee’s      recommendation that  steps  may  be      taken  to   ensure  that   no   new      industry,      including      small      industries or  other  units,  which      can  cause  pollution  are  located      north-west of  the Taj  Mahal,  has      been enforced.  However, efforts to      relocate existing small industries,      particularly the  foundries, in  an      area south-east  of Agra beyond the      Taj   Mahal,    have    not    been      successful."      The Report  clearly shows  that the  level of Suspended Particulate Matters (SPM) in the Taj Mahal area is high. The relevant part of the Report in this respect is as under:-      "S.P.M. (Period 1981-1993)      i.   The level  of SPM at Taj Mahal      is  generally   quite   high,   the      monthly mean values being above 200      micrograms/cubic metre  for all the      months during  1981-1985 except for      the monsoon months.      ii.  There is  an increasing  trend      in    the    monthly    mean    SPM      concentrations   from   about   380      micrograms/cubic   metre   to   620      micrograms/cubic metre  during  the      period  1987-1991,  and  the  trend      reverses  thereafter   till   1993.

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    There is a decrease in monthly mean      SPM      levels       from      620      micrograms/cubic metre  in 1991  to      about 425 micrograms/cubic metre in      1993."      Para 71  of the  Report deals  with the  consumption of coal in the Agra areas. The relevant part is as under:-      ".... These  do cause  pollution of      the atmosphere.  Industries in Agra      are situated  north west, north and      north  east   of  the   Taj  mahal,      several  of   them  being   located      across the  river.  These  are  the      major sources  of concern  as  they      are not  far away,  and much of the      time winds blow from their location      towards Taj Mahal."      Para 78  relating  to  the  use  of      natural gas is as under:-      "..... Natural  gas distribution to      industries in existing locations in      Agra  would  need  installation  of      pipelines and  meters. This  may be      expensive  and   in  addition   not      ensure   safety,    as   accidental      leakage  in  pipeline  network  may      lead to  explosions and  fires.  it      may however  be possible to use LPG      or HSD  with suitable  precautions,      after careful review."      Relevant part  of  para  79  is  as      under:-      "...... NEERI Report dated March 7,      1994 on  Fuel  Supply  alternatives      (Annexure) suggests Natural Gas can      be considered  for use  only in new      industrial sites."      The industries  in Agra  have  been      dealt in  paras 92,  93, 95  and 96      which are as under:-      "92.   Industries   in   Agra   and      Ferozabad have been asked to instal      APCD  to   reduce  essentially  SPM      level in  air emissions.  UPPCB has      the  authority   to  monitor  their      performance   to   meet   standards      performance   to   meet   standards      outlined for  different  industries      by CPCB,  noting their  capacities.      These regulations  should be  fully      enforced.   NEERI   has   suggested      suitable   sites    in   Agra   and      Ferozabad could  be identified  and      developed  as   industrial  estates      with  facilities,   separated  from      residential area. If such sites are      developed, natural  gas  supply  in      the  industrial   estate  would  be      possible  with   safety,  and   the      industrial units could be shifted.      93. .... There is need for a single      authority  in   such   estates   to      coordinate  all   maintenance   and      repair work  on electrical  supply,      telecommunications, water,  sewage,

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    drains, roads and construction. Any      industrial  estate   in  Agra  with      natural gas will have to be located      at  a   substantial  distance  from      monuments to ensure full safety.      xxxxx         xxxxxx          xxxxx      95.  When   industrial  units   are      relocated, it  would be appropriate      to modernise  technology  equipment      and buildings.  Most of  the  units      will    need    very    substantial      financial assistance.  The value of      the present  sites and their future      use have to be determined. It would      not   be   desirable   to   promote      residential colonies and commercial      establishments  in   such   vacated      areas as  they may  in turn  add to      the problems  of water  supply  and      atmospheric  quality  by  excessive      use of  energy.  Major  changes  of      this  nature  would  need  a  clear      development planning  strategy  and      resources,  and   will  also   take      several years for implementation.      96.  There   is  urgent   need  for      quicker measures  which could  lead      to better  environment,  especially      in the Taj Mahal. For this purpose,      it is  necessary to  effect overall      reduction in  coal/coke consumption      by industries  and others  in  Agra      and   in    Taj   Trapezium    Zone      generally.  The  present  level  of      consumption of 129 metric tonne per      day    by     industry    can    be      substantially   reduced    by   new      technology and  by use  of LPG  and      HSD  of   low   sulphur.   Stricter      standards  for   emissions  may  be      evolved when such technological and      fuel changes  are effected. Support      for development of modifications in      design    and     operation     and      demonstration should  be  provided.      Some assistance  to industries  for      adoption of these may be considered      after careful  examination  of  the      costs and  benefits to the industry      and   to    society.   All    those      industries   not   responding   for      action  for  feasible  changes  and      contributing disproportionately  to      atmospheric pollution  have to face      action."      The Taj  being a  monument on  the World Heritage List, the Government  of India  sought the  expert advice  through UNESCO on  the structural  and chemical preservation aspects of the  monument.  Accordingly,  two  experts,  namely,  Dr. Mentrizio marbeilli and Dr. M. Larze Tabasso visited the Taj Mahal between  January 17-30,  1987 to  study  the  problems pertaining to  the conservation of marble and sand stones in The Taj  and recommended  remedial  measures.  According  to them, the  yellowishness of the marble is due to (a) SPM and (b) dust  fall impinging  on the  surface. Opinions  of  the

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Archaeological Survey  of India and other scientists annexed to the  Varadharajan Report  unanimously say that the yellow shadow of the marble on different parts of The Taj including four minarets  is mainly  due  to  SPM  and  the  dust  fall impinging on the surface. The comments of the Archaeological Survey of India as noticed in the Varadharajan Report are as under:-      "On the  structural side,  the  Taj      mahal  is   in  a  sound  state  of      preservation   and    the   studies      conducted so  far also  confirm the      same. The  only threat  to the  Taj      Mahal  is  from  the  environmental      pollution.      The Science  wing  of  the  ASI  is      continuously monitoring  the  level      of  suspended  particulate  matter,      sulphur dioxide  concentration  and      sulphation rate.  The studies  made      in this regard shows that suspended      particulate matter  level has  been      found to be higher than the maximum      permissible level  100 kg/m3.  This      has imparted a yellowish appearance      on the surface of the Taj Mahal."      After  careful  examination  of  the  two  Varadharajan Reports (1978 and 1995) and the various NEERI reports placed on record, we are of the view that there is no contradiction between the  two  sets  of  reports.  In  the  1978  Report, Varadharajan  found   substantial  level  of  air  pollution because of  sulphur dioxide  and SPM in the Agra region. The source,  according   to  the   report,  was  the  coal-users including  approximately   250   small   industries   mainly foundries. The excess of SPM was because of the use of coal. The Report  specifically recommended  in para  5.4  for  the relocation of the existing small industries particularly the foundries. The  1995 Varadharajan  Report clearly shows that the standard  of atmospheric  pollution is  much higher than the 1981-85  period which  according to  the Report  is also because of  heavy traffic  and operation of generating sets. NEERI reports have clearly recommended the relocation of the industries from the TTZ.      This court  on April  11, 1994,  passed  the  following order:-      "..... We  are of the view that the      shifting of the industries from Taj      Trapezium has to be made i a phased      manner.  NEERI’s  report  indicates      that the  maximum pollution  to the      ambient air  around  Taj  Mahal  is      caused by the industries located in      Agra. We,  therefore,  as  a  first      phase,  take   up  the   industries      situated in  Agra for  the purposes      of the  proposed  shifting  outside      Taj Trapezium......      xxxxxx          xxxxxxx       xxxxx           We, therefore  direct the U.P.      State Pollution  Control  board  to      issue Public  notices  in  the  two      national English  Daily  newspapers      and also  two vernacular newspapers      for    three    consecutive    days      indicating that  the supreme  court      of India is processing the proposal

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    for shifting  of the  air polluting      industries such  as Foundries,  Pit      Furnaces,  Rubber  Sole,  Chemical,      Refactory  Brick,  Engineering  and      Lime  processing   from   Agra   to      outside Taj Trapezium at a suitable      place to  be selected after hearing      the parties  including the industry      owners. The  individual  industries      shall  be   asked  to   supply  the      following information:      1.   Name,   Registration   number,      Location and  the  ownership/status      of the industry.      2.   Total land/including  built up      area which  is at present under the      possession of the industry.      3.   Nature/quantum  of   the  fuel      which is being used.      4.   Number  of  the  workers/other      staff employed.      5.   Total                  Capital      investment/turnover     of      the      industry.      6.   Extent of the land required by      the industry  in the new industrial      area outside the Taj Trapezium.      7.   The product  of  the  industry      and the  raw material used for such      production.      8.   The   nature/extent   of   the      alternate safe fuel, if required.      9.   Financial  assistance  in  the      shape of  loan etc.,  if  required,      and to what extent.           Apart  from   Public   Notice,      individual  Notices   to  all   the      industries which  are  situated  in      Agra shall  also be  served by  the      U.P. State Pollution Control board,      to the air polluting industries. We      further direct  the Union  of India      to have  a gist of the above Public      notice    announced     on    local      television  as  well  as  on  local      Radio  in  Agra/mathura  for  three      consecutive days.           The publication  of the notice      in the national Newspapers shall be      got  done  by  the  U.P.  Pollution      Control board  on April 29-30, 1994      and May  1, 1994.  Thereafter,  the      Notices shall  be got  published  i      the local  newspapers on  May 6,  7      and 8, 1994. The individual notices      shall be  served on  the industries      before May  8, 1994.  The Union  of      India shall  also have  the  notice      broadcast as directed by us between      May 1  and May  10, 1994. Mr. N. N.      Goswamy,  learned   senior  counsel      fairly states  that he will prepare      the gist  of the notice and send it      to the government of India."      The chronology  of the  orders quoted  by  us  in  this

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judgment shows  that this  Court  took  cognizance  of  this matter in  January 1993.  There are  four NEERI reports, two Varadharajan reports and several reports by the Board. After examining all  the reports  and  taking  into  consideration other material  on the  record, we  have  no  hesitation  in holding  that   the  industries   in  the   TTZ  are  active contributors to  the air  pollution in  the said area. NEERI and   Varadharajan    (1978)   reports   have   specifically recommended the  relocation  of  industries  from  the  TTZ. Although  the  Board  has  placed  on  record  list  of  510 industries which  are responsible  for air  pollution but in view of  our order  dated April 11, 1994. (quoted above), we are confining  this order only to 292 industries located and operating in Agra. These industries are listed hereunder: FOUNDRIES (DISTRICT AGRA) 1. M/s Gulab Rai Chottey Lal     21/16, Freeganj     Agra. 2.  M/s Gulab Rai Chottey Lal     27/65, Pathwari     Agra. 3.  M/s Krishna Iron Foundry     Freeganj     Agra 4.  M/s B.C. Iron Foundry     Sultanganj     Agra. 5.  M/s Kajeco Industries     Sultanganj     Agra 6.  M/s National Iron Foundry     Moti Lal Nehru Road     Agra 7.  M/s Raj Pattern Makers & Founders     Moti Lal Nehru Road     Agra 8.  M/s Miraz Iron Foundry     1290, Bazar     Agra 9.  M/s Mudgal Iron Foundry     7/6, Pathwari     Agra 10. M/s Prabhat Iron Foundry     Freeganj Road     Agra 11. M/s Raghav Engg. Company     21/60, Freeganj     Agra 12. M/s Raj Iron Foundry     (Unit-I)     26/1, Sultanganj     Agra 13. M/s Agrawal Tin Mfg. Co.     Sultanganj     Agra 14. M/s Moti Lal Agrawal & Co.     21/33, Freeganj     Agra 15. M/s Anil Metal Ind.     (Foundry Division)     Bichpuri Road, Amarpura     Agra 16. M/s Shree Durga Laxmi Iron Foundry     Langre Ki Chowki     Agra

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17. M/s S.S. & Iron Foundry     Jeoni Mandi     Agra 18. M/s Randhir Chand Khoob Chand Iron Foundry     Masta Ki Bagichi     Langre Ki Chowki     Agra 19. M/s Shree Ram Metal Ind.     31/24 D, Langre Ki Chowki     Agra 20. M/s Suresh Iron Foundary & Engg. Works     Langre Ki Chowki     Agra 21. M/s Suresh Iron Foundary & Engg. Works     Langre Ki Chowki     Agra 22. M/s. Mahajan Iron Foundary     Transport Nagar     Agra 23. M/s. Mahajan Iron Foundary     Transport nagar     Agra 24. M/s Taj Iron Foundary     Aboolala Dargah     New Agra 25. M/s Himalaya Ind.     Transport Nagar     Agra 26. M/s Laxmi Metal Ind.     Indira Mill Compound     Jeoni Mandi     Agra 27. M/s Shree Durga Bhagwati Industries & Iron Foundary     Langre Ki Chowki     Agra 28. M/s India Casting Co.     C-1, Balkeshwar Road     Agra 29. M/s India Iron Foundary     Sultanganj     Agra 30. Shanker Iron Foundary     Balkeshwar     Agra 30. Shanker Iron Foundary     Balkeshwar     Agra 31. Jagannath Dewan Chandra Jain     Freeganj     Agra 32. Agarwal Wire Ind.     C-30, Site A, Ind. Area     Sikandara     Agra 33. Super Chem. Ind.     D-1, Sector A, Ind. Area     Sikandara     Agra 34. Uttam Lah Udyog     10 Km Stone     Mathura Road     Agra 35. Mahajan Ispat Udyog     Runukutta, Mathura Road     Agra

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36. G.M. Industries Corpn.     Kailash Road, Sikandara     Agra 37. Satya Deep Udyog     Mathura Road     Agra 38. Arbaria Iron Foundary     Runukutta Mathura Road     Agra 39. Allied Iron & Steel Works     Runukutta, Mathura Road     Agra 40. Singh Industries     Mathura Road, Artoni     Agra 41. Kalyan Steel Products (P) Ltd.     Artoni, Mathura Road     Agra 42. B.K. Steels,     Artoni, Mathura Road     Agra 43. Anand Industry     Artoni, Mathura Road     Agra 44. Arbaria Steels     Artoni, Mathura Road     Agra 45. Luthura Engineering     15 Km., Artoni, Mathura Road     Agra 46. Satya Ind. Corpn.     Unit-2, Rambagh     Agra 47. A.R. Iron Foundary     Rambagh     Agra 48. S.A. Iron Foundary     11/42, Rambagh     Agra 49. S.K. Iron Foundary & Engg. Co., Unit-1     Rambagh     Agra 50. S.K. Iron Foundary & Engg. Co., Unit-2     Rambagh     Agra 51. S.G. Industries     Rambagh     Agra 52. Golden Engg. Corpn.     4/45, Rambagh     Agra 53. Paliwal Iron Foundary & Metal Works     Rambagh     Agra 54. Jain Foundary & Engg. Works     Rambagh     Agra 55. Castwel Foundary     Naraich, Hathras Road     Agra 56. Oswal Iron Foundary     Rambagh     Agra 57. Ganga Engineers     Rambagh

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   Agra 58. S.S. Iron Foundary     11/111, Rambagh     Agra 59. Suraj Foundary     11.45, Rambagh     Agra 60. Dewan Chand Suraj Prakash Jain     11/43, Rambagh     Agra 61. Parolia Engg. Works     11/47-c, Rambagh     Agra 62. S.B. Iron Foundary     11/18-B, Rambagh     Agra 63. Reliable Industry     Rambagh     Agra 64. Sarla & Co.     Rambagh     Agra 65. Shree Ram Iron Foundary & Engg. Works     4248/2, Rambagh     Agra 66. Jagdish Industrial Corpn.     Naraich, Hathras Road     Agra 67. R.K. Engineers & founders     Hathras Road     Agra 68. Goyal Iron & Steel Works     Naraich, Hathras Road     Agra 69. R.R. Iron Foundary     Rambagh     Agra 70. Sharad Industries     Foundry nagar     Hathras Road     Agra 71. Kansal Iron Foundry     11/48/6/C, Naraich     Hathras Road     Agra 72. Goyal Metal Industries     Foundry nagar, Hathras Road     Agra 73. Fatehchand Sehgal & Sons     Naraich, Hathras Road     Agra 74. Adesh Kumar Jain     C-69, Foundry Nagar     Agra. 75. Deepak Chemical Works     11B/103, naraich     Hathras Road     Agra 76. Devki Nandan     11B/103 naraich     Hathras Road     Agra 77. Prakash Iron Foundary     Hathras Road     Agra

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78. Ravi Agricultural Ind.     Hathras Road     Agra 79. V.K. Enterprises     C-48, Foundry Nagar     Agra. 80. Manik Chand Garg & Co.     C-50, Foundry Nagar     Agra. 81. Bombay Engg. & Moulding Works     3994, Nagla Kishanlal     Hathras Road     Agra 82. Gopal Iron Foundary     D-38, Foundary Nagar     Agra 83. Sterling Machine Tools     C-38, Foundary Nagar     Agra 84. Bharat Ind. Unit-2     B-12, Foundary Nagar     Agra 85. Kajeco Industries Unit-2     B-9/10, Foundary Nagar     Agra 86. Devi Enterprises     Hathras Road     Agra. 87. Techno Industries     2919, Nariach     Hathras Road     Agra. 88. Goyal Iron & Steel Works     (India) Nagla Kishanlal     Hathras Road     Agra. 89. G.C. Industries     Naraich, Hathras Road     Agra. 90. K.J. Industries     B-5, Foundary Nagar     Agra 91. Bajrang Iron Foundry     B-4, Foundary Nagar     Agra 92. Agra Loh Udyog     1167, Foundary Nagar     Agra 93. Singhal Industries     B-2, Foundary Nagar     Agra 94. Raj Iron Foundry Unit-II     B-3, Foundary Nagar     Agra 95. Agrico Enterprises     E-60/E-61, Foundary Nagar     Agra 96. Tantan Auto Industry     E-72, Foundry Nagar     Agra. 97. Naresh Iron Foundry     D-62, Foundary Nagar     Agra 98. A.B. Auto Works (P) Ltd.     C-32, Foundary Nagar

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   Agra 99. Shri Ram Engg. works     D-19, Foundary Nagar     Agra 100. Britania Engg. Co.      C-31, Foundary Nagar      Agra 101. Expert Founders & Engg.      C-29, Foundary Nagar      Agra 102. Basal Casting Co.      D-17, Foundary Nagar      Agra 103. Maharaja Agrasen Iron Foundry      D-15, Foundary Nagar      Agra 104. Ajanta Industries      D-20, Foundary Nagar      Agra 105. Accurate Ferro Castings      B-18/B, Foundary Nagar      Agra 106. Shiraj Industry      D-68, Foundary Nagar      Agra 107. Shinning Engg. Works      B-19, Foundary Nagar      Agra 108. Mittal Iron Founders & Engg.      Foundary Nagar      Agra 109. Shivam Industries      C-23, Foundary Nagar      Agra 110. Mercury Engg. & Steel      E-16, Foundary Nagar      Agra 111. Arya Sons      B-17/2, Foundary Nagar      Agra 112. Agrawal Metal Industries      C-70, Foundary Nagar      Agra 113. Kamal Engg. works, Unit-II      C-25, Foundary Nagar      Agra 114. Kamal Engg. Works Unit-I      D-48, Foundary Nagar      Agra 115. Power Field India      E-4, Foundary Nagar      Agra 116. Shyam Metal Industries      E-3, Foundary Nagar      Agra 117. Narayan brothers Factory      E-3, Foundary Nagar      Agra 118. Shaktiman Industries      E-25, Foundary Nagar      Agra 119. Jain Ambey Piston King Industry      E-14, Foundary Nagar      Agra 120. Monark India

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    E-13/E-14, Foundary Nagar      Agra 121. Gopal Iron Foundry      D-43, Foundary Nagar      Agra 122. Natraj Iron Foundry      E-18, Foundary Nagar      Agra 123. Bhagwati Iron Foundry      D-2, Foundary Nagar      Agra 124 Chinar Foundry      E-1, 2, Foundary Nagar      Agra 125. Modern Industries IIB      76A, Foundary Nagar      Agra 126. Devi Sahai Gopaldas      Iron Foundry      C-15, Foundary Nagar      Agra 127. Mittal Industries      C-18, Foundary Nagar      Agra 128. B.K. Castings      C-6, Foundary Nagar      Agra 129. N.K. Iron Foundry      C-3, Foundary Nagar      Agra 130. Metal products      C-33, Foundary Nagar      Agra 131. Shanti Vrat & Sons      B-7, Foundary Nagar      Agra 132. Mr. Sushil Kr. Danoria      B-7, Foundary Nagar      Agra 133. BSA Agricultural Ind.      17/15, Nunhai Rd.      Nawalganj      Agra 134. Indu Engg. & Taxtiles Ltd.      12/16A, Nawalganj      Agra 135. Vijay Iron Foundry      1250, Nawalganj      Agra 136. Kaushal Industries      Nawalganj      Agra 137. Standard Pumps Nunhai      Agra. 138. Doneria pvt. Ltd.      10/4, Hathras Road      Agra. 139. Doneria Iron & Steels      11/28, Chini Ka Roza      Agra. 140. Ratan Industries (P) Ltd.      10/12, Kalra Wazir Khan      Hathras Road      Agra. 141. Bharat Iron & Steel Foundry

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    10/10, Katra Wazir Khan      Agra 142. Shri Bankey Bihari Udyog      10/9, Katra Wazir Khan      Agra 143. Balaji Udyog      10/22, Katra Wazir Khan      Agra 144. Nav Durga Dhalai      1014A, Katra Wazir Khan      Agra 145. Ess Jay Steels (P) ltd.      10/4A, Hathras Road      Agra. 146. Girdharlal Thankurdas Agencies (P) Ltd.      11/38, Hathras Road.      Agra. 147. Kumar Steel Udyog      11/24, Ching Ka Roja      Agra. 148. G.T. Iron Industries      11/38, A-3, Hathras Road      Agra. 149. Munnalal Mistri      11/124, Chini Ka Roza      Agra. 150. Metal Cast India      3-Ind. Estate, Nunhai      Agra. 151. M/s printing machine Mfg. Co.      1, Ind. Estate, Nunhai      Agra. 152. M/s Amar Enterprises      2, E. e., Nunhai      Agra. 153. M/s Northern India Tools Co.      62, I. e., Nunhai      Agra. 154. M/s Meghdoot Pistons (P) Ltd.      6, I.E., Nunhai      Agra. 155. M/s Mehra Casting Works      32, I.e., Nunhai      Agra. 156. M/s Mahaveer Iron Foundry      12/15, Nawajganj      Agra 157. M/s Paras Foundry      68, I.E., Nunhai      Agra. 158. Mahaveer Iron Foundry      67, I.E., Nunhai      Agra. 159. M/s Maharshi Dayanand Iron Foundry      71, I.E., Nunhai      Agra. 160. M/s Basant Industries      Nunhai      Agra. 161. M/s A.V. Engineering Works      160, I.E., Nunhai      Agra. 162. M/s Ess Bee Iron Foundry      134, I.E., Nunhai      Agra.

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163. M/s Tracko International      56, I.E., Nunhai      Agra. 164. M/s Metafam Engg. Associate      19, I.E., Nunhai      Agra. 165. M/s Vinay Iron Foundry      75, I.E., Nunhai      Agra. 166. M/S Samta Trading Corpn.      136, I.E., Nunhai      Agra. 167. M/s Mahaveer Engg. Works      82, I.E., Nunhai      Agra. ENGINEERING 169. Anil Metal Industry      Bodla Road      Agra. 170. Agra Engg. Industries      Artoni      Agra. 171. Profile Furnaces & Heat Treatment      Kailash Road, Sikandara      Agra. 172. Aay Jay Udyog      B-6, Site B, Ind. Area      Sikandara      Agra. 173. Krishi Seva Udyog      D-41, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 175. Usha Martin Ind. Ltd.      Nawaj Ganj      Agra. 176. Mercury Engg.      Chini Ka Roza      Agra. 177. Shivam Industries      10/4A, Katra Wazir Khan      Agra. 178. Donaria Industries      10/4A, Hathras Road      Agra 179. Rahul Diesels (India)      Rambagh      Agra. 180. K.J. Diesels (P) Ltd.      Naraich      Hathras Road      Agra. 181. Prakash Agricultural Ind.      Fundry Nagar      Agra. 182. Anil Agricultural Ind.      B-25, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 183. Singhal Industries Corpn.      C-49, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 184. Gangotri Diesels (P) Ltd.      Hathras Road      Agra. 185. Shivas Industries      C-36, Foundry Nagar

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    Agra. 186. Olympic Diesels      E-53, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 187. Shri Ram Diesels (India)      C-56, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 188. Minerva Diesel Eng. (P) Ltd.      C-67, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 189. A. K. Enterprises      B-20, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 190. Kalyan Engg. Works      E-8, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 191. Chandra metal Enterprises      E-24, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 192. Rajendra Industries      E-31, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 193. Bright Engg. Works      E-19, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 194. K.G. Electro Techniques      E-17, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 195. Satya Udyog Unit-2      C-11, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 196. Doneria Engg. Co.      C-5, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 197. Basant Ispat Udyog (P) Ltd.      C-34, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 198. Atul Engg. Udyog      Nunhai      Agra. 199. Atul Generation (P) Ltd.      Nunhai      Agra. 200. Mohan Generators & Pumps      45 I.E., Nunhai      Agra. 201. M/s Steeloc Ind.      54A, Industrial Estate      Nawalganj, Nunhai      Agra. 202 M/s Jay Sheet Mfty.     Nawalganj, Nunhai     Agra. 203. M/s Automotive Products      73, I. E., Nunhai      Agra. 204. M/s S.G. Sundrani      I. E., Nunhai      Agra. 205. M/s Alfa Engg. Works      20, I. E., Nunhai      Agra. 206. M/s Shyam Metal Works      21, I. E., Nunhai      Agra.

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207. M/s Jagdish Metal Works      24, Nunhai      Agra. 208. M/s Suchlam Engg. Works      165A, I. E., Nunhai      Agra. 209. M/s Pawan Auto Ind.      I. E., Nunhai      Agra. 210. M/s Shaktiman Ind.      I. E., Nunhai      Agra. 211. Sandeep Autos      I. E., Nunhai      Agra. 212. M/s Vulcan Engg. Inds.,      I. E., Nunhai      Agra. 213. M/s Vulcan Engg. Inds.,      Nunhai      Agra. 214. M/s Agra Steels Corpn.      I. E., Nunhai      Agra. CHEMICALS & OTHER INDUSTRIES 215. M/s Biological Evons Ltd.      Bichpuri Road      Agra. 216. M/s Wasan & Co., Bodla.      Bichpuri Road      Agra. 217. M/s Mahajan Tanners (P) Ltd.      Bichpuri Road      Agra. 218. M/s Agra Tannery Leather      Bichpuri Road      Agra. 219. M/s C.R. Oil Mill      Motilal Nehru Road      Agra 220. M/s Sharda Oil Mills      Motilal Nehru Road      Agra 221. M/s B.P. Oil Mills (P) Ltd.      Maithan      Agra. 222. M/s Mayur Kattha Industries      Chalesar      Agra. 223. M/s A.V. Paper Cones      Sikandara      Agra. 224. R.R. Chem Industries      Kailash Road      Sikandara      Agra. 225. Agra Beverages Corpn. (P) Ltd.      Mathura Road      Agra. 226. Arctic Drinks (P) Ltd.      Mathura Road      Agra. 227. Devyani Foods (P) Ltd.      Mathura Road      Agra.

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228. B.K. Enterprises      Mathura Road      Agra. 229. R.M. Foods (P) Ltd.      Artoni, Mathura Road      Agra. 230. Park Leather Industries Ltd.      Runukutta, Mathura Road      Agra. 231. Hindustan Crushers & Fertilizers      Runukutta, Mathura Road      Agra. 232. General Mills Corpn.      Runukutta, Mathura Road      Agra. 233. Amar Shikha Wood Product      Artoni, Mathura Road      Agra. 234. Amar Jyoti Industries      Artoni, Mathura Road      Agra. 235. Sun Beverages (P) Ltd.      Artoni, Mathura Road      Agra. 236. Taj Beverages (P) Ltd.      Artoni, Mathura Road      Agra. 237. Pee Cee Soap Factory      Artoni, Mathura Road      Agra. 238. Kandla Flooring & Fabrics (P) Ltd.      A-1 Site A Ind. Area      Sikandara      Agra. 239. Agra Roller Floor Mills      Artoni, Mathura Road      Agra. 240. R.K. Brothers      C-25, Site A Ind. Area      Sikandara      Agra. 241. Sun Ray Agrochem      Runukutta, Mathura Road      Agra. 242. Plywood Products      19.6 Km, Runukutta, Mathura Road      Agra. 243. Shreekshetria Gandhi Ashram      Runukutta      Agra. 244. Shiraj Foods Unit-2      Runukutta, Mathura Road      Agra. 245. C.R. Foods India (P) Ltd.      1977/1, Runukutta, Mathura Road      Agra. 246. Ramjilal Harishchand      11/48-E, Rambagh, Hathras Road      Agra. 247. Agra Oil & General Industry      Naraich, Hathras Road      Agra. 248. Bansal Marrble Industries      Hathras Road      Agra.

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249. Sandeep Resin Industries      E-38, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 250. Anchor Wax Industry      C-26, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 251. Anil Paint Works      E-10, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 252. Bee Kay Industry      E-28, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 253. B.K. Salts      Behind E-28, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 254. National Chemicals      C-9, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 255. Jai Shanker Salt Peter Works      A-8, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 256. Singhal Pesticides      9/122, Moti Bagh      Yamuna      Agra. 257. Adarsh Paper Product      10/4, Katra Wazir Khan      Agra. 258. Seema Oil Corpn.      11/38 B, Sita Nagar      Agra. 259. Agarwal Industries      10/22, Katra Wazir      Agra 260. Allora Paper Products      10/4, Katra Wazir      Agra. 261. Agarwal Knitting      188, Industrial Estate      Nunhai      Agra. 262. Bright Son Electroplaters      Industrial Area      Nunhai      Agra. 263. Micro Metals      151, Ind. Estate      Nunhai      Agra. 264. M/s Bonita Chemicals      64, I. E., Nunhai      Agra. 265. M/s Gandhi Refineries      69A I.E., Nunhai      Agra. 266. M/s Mahaveer Glass & Silicate Works      65 I.E.      Agra. 267. M/s The National Glass & Silicate      Nunhai      Agra. 268. M/s Agra Chains Pvt. Ltd.      14, I.E., Nunhai      Agra. 269. M/s Agra Leather board pvt. Ltd.

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    5, I.E., Nunhai      Agra. RUBBER FACTORIES 270. M/s Bajwa Rubber Ind.      12/67, Rui Ki Mandi      Agra. 271. M/s bengal Rubber Ind.      Shahaganj      Agra 272. M/s K.K. Rubber Ind.      11/3954, Langre Ki Chowki      Shastri Nagar      Agra. 273. M/s Caapstan Rubber Products      Transport Nagar      Agra. 274. M/s Smart Industries      5/99, Billochpura      Agra. 275. M/s Rubber Complex      Shahganj      Agra. 276. Weston Rubber      11 Km. Stone      Mathura Road      Agra. 277. Katyal Industries      10 Km. Stone      Mathura Road      Agra. 278. Capston Rubbers (India)      C-6, Site A Ind. Area      Sikandara      Agra. 279. Bengal Rubber Ind.      (Unit-2)      C-7, Ind. Area, Sita A      Sikandara      Agra. 280. Bajwa Rubber Ind. (Unit-2)      C-8, Ind. Area      Sikandara      Agra. 281. Noble Rubber Products      B-1, Ind. Area      Sikandara      Agra. 282. Agra Rubber Industries      E-37, Foundry Nagar      Agra. 283. Goodage Rubber Works      B-16/3, Foundry Nagar      Agra 284. Syntex Rubber Rollers      10/4, Katra Wazir Khan      Agra. 285. Shakti Rubber Corpn.      Sikandara      Agra 286. M/s Novelty Udyog      37, I.E., Nunhai      Agra. 287. M/s Sheela Udyog      14B-144, I.E.      Agra

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288. M/s J.J. Rubber & Plastic      11, I.E., Nunhai      Agra 289. Sunrise Rubber Ind.      18, I.E., Nunhai      Agra. LIME KILNS 290. Hansard Bhagwandas      Naraich, Hathras Road      Agra. 291. Garg Lime Industries      Naraich, Hathras Road      Agra. 292. Pankaj Small Ind.      Nawalganj      Agra.      The Taj,  apart from  being cultural  heritage,  is  an industry by itself. More than two million tourists visit The Taj every  year. It  is a source of revenue for the country. This Court  has monitored this petition for over three years with the  sole object  of preserving  and protecting The Taj from  deterioration   and  damage  due  to  atmospheric  and environmental pollution.  It cannot be disputed that the use of coke/coal by the industries emit pollution in the ambient air. The  objective behind  this litigation  is to  stop the pollution while encouraging development of industry. The old concept that  development and  ecology cannot go together is no longer acceptable. Sustainable development is the answer. The development  of industry is essential for the economy of the country,  but at  the same  time the environment and the eco-systems have to be protected. The pollution created as a consequence  of   development  must  commensurate  with  the carrying capacity of our eco-systems.      Various orders  passed by  this Court from time to time (quoted above)  clearly indicate  that the relocation of the industries from TTZ is to be resorted to only if the natural gas which  has been  brought at  the doorstep  of TTZ is not acceptable/available by/to  the industries  as a  substitute for coke/coal.  The GAIL  has already invited the industries in TTZ  to apply  for gas  connections. before  us Mr. kapil Sibal  and  mr.  Sanjay  parikh,  learned  counsel  for  the industries have clearly stated that all the industries would accept gas  as an  industrial-fuel. The industries operating in TTZ which are given gas connections to run the industries need  not  relocate.  The  whole  purpose  is  to  stop  air pollution by banishing coke/coal from TTZ.      This Court  in Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum vs. Union of India  & Ors.,  JT 1996  (7) sc  375,  has  defined  "the precautionary principle"  and the  "polluter pays principle" as under:-      "11. .......  We are,  however,  of      the view  that  "the  precautionary      principle" and  "The polluter Pays"      principle are essential features of      "Sustainable   Development".    The      "Precautionary Principle" -- in the      context  of  the  municipal  law  -      means:      (i)  Environmental  measures  -  by      the  State   Government   and   the      statutory   authorities    -   must      anticipate, prevent  and attack the      causes       of       environmental      degradation.      (ii)      Where there  are  threats

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    of serious and irreversible damage,      lack of scientific certainty should      not  be   used  as   a  reason  for      postponing  measures   to   prevent      environmental degradation.      (iii)     The "Onus of proof" is on      the       actor        or       the      developer/industrialist   to   show      that his  action is environmentally      benign.      12.  "The Polluter  Pays" principle      has  been   held  to   be  a  sound      principle by  this court  in Indian      Council for Enviro-Legal Action vs.      Union of  India J.T.  1996 (2) 196.      The Court  observed "We  are of the      opinion that  any principle evolved      in this  behalf should  be  simple,      practical   and   suited   to   the      conditions   obtaining    in   this      country".  The   Court  ruled  that      "Once the  activity carried  on  is      hazardous or  inherently dangerous,      the   person   carrying   on   such      activity is liable to make good the      loss caused  to any other person by      his activity  irrespective  of  the      fact  whether  he  took  reasonable      care   while    carrying   on   his      activity. The rule is premised upon      the very  nature  of  the  activity      carried   on."   Consequently   the      polluting      industries       are      "absolutely  liable  to  compensate      for the  harm  caused  by  them  to      villagers in  the affected area, to      the soil  and  to  the  underground      water and  hence, they are bound to      take  all   necessary  measures  to      remove sludge  and other pollutants      lying in  the affected  areas". The      "Polluter   Pays"    principle   as      interpreted  by  this  court  means      that  the  absolute  liability  for      harm to the environment extends not      only to  compensate the  victims of      pollution  but  also  the  cost  of      restoring     the     environmental      degradation.  Remediation   of  the      damaged environment  is part of the      process       of       "Sustainable      Development" and  as such  polluter      is liable  to pay  the cost  to the      individual sufferers as well as the      cost  of   reversing  the   damaged      ecology.      13.  The  precautionary   principle      and  the  polluter  pays  principle      have been  accepted as  part of the      law of  the land. Article 21 of the      Constitution  of  India  guarantees      protection  of  life  and  personal      liberty.  Articles  47,  48  A  and      51A(g) of  the Constitution  are as      under:-

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    "47. Duty of the State to raise the      level of nutrition and the standard      of living  and  to  improve  public      health. -  The State  shall  regard      the  raising   of  the   level   of      nutrition  and   the  standard   of      living  of   its  people   and  the      improvement of  public health among      its   primary    duties   and    in      particular,   the    State    shall      endeavour    to     bring     about      prohibition  of   the   consumption      except for  medicinal  purposes  of      intoxicating drinks  and  of  drugs      which are injurious to health.      48A. Protection and  improvement of      environment  and   safeguarding  of      forest and  wild life.  - The State      shall  endeavour   to  protect  and      improve  the   environment  and  to      safeguard the forests and wild life      of the country.      51A(g).   To  protect  and  improve      the natural  environment  including      forests,  lakes,  rivers  and  wild      life, and  to have  compassion  for      living creatures.           Apart from  the constitutional      mandate to  protect and improve the      environment  there  are  plenty  of      post independence  legislations  on      the  subject   but  more   relevant      enactments for our purpose are: The      Water (prevention  and  Control  of      pollution)  Act,  1974  (the  Water      Act),  the   Air  (Prevention   and      Control  of  Pollution)  Act,  1981      (the Air  Act) and  the Environment      protection    Act,     1986    (the      Environment  Act).  The  Water  Act      provides for  the  constitution  of      the Central Pollution Control board      by the  Central Government  and the      constitution of the State Pollution      Control  Board   by   the   Central      Government and  the constitution of      the State  Pollution Control Boards      by various State governments in the      country. The  Boards function under      the  control   of  the  Governments      concerned. The  Water Act prohibits      the use  of streams  and wells  for      disposal of polluting matters. Also      provides   for    restrictions   on      outlets and  discharge of effluents      without obtaining  consent from the      Board.  prosecution  and  penalties      have been  provided  which  include      sentence of  imprisonment. The  Air      Act  provides   that  the   Central      Pollution  Control  board  and  the      State  Pollution   Control   boards      constituted  under  the  Water  Act      shall also  perform the  powers and      functions under  the Air  Act.  The

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    main function  of the Boards, under      the air  Act,  is  to  improve  the      quality of  the air and to prevent,      control and  abate air pollution in      the country. We shall deal with the      Environment Act  in the  later part      of this judgment.      14.  In view of the above mentioned      constitutional    and     statutory      provisions we have no hesitation in      holding  that   the   precautionary      principal  and  the  polluter  pays      principle   are    part   of    the      environmental law of the country."      Based on  the reports  of various technical authorities mentioned in  this judgment,  we have  already  reached  the finding  that  the  emissions  generated  by  the  coke/coal consuming industries  are air-pollutants  and have  damaging effect on  The Taj  and the  people living  in the  TTZ. The atmospheric pollution  in TTZ  has to  be eliminated  at any cost. Not even one per cent chance can be taken when - human life apart - the preservation of a prestigious monument like The  Taj   is  involved.   In  any  case,  in  view  of  the precautionary  principle  as  defined  by  this  Court,  the environmental measures  must anticipate,  prevent and attack the causes of environmental degradation. The ’onus of proof’ is on an industry to show that its operation with the aid of coke/coal is  environmentally benign.  It is, rather, proved beyond doubt  that the  emissions generated  by the  use  of coke/coal by the industries in TTZ are the main polluters of the ambient air.      We,  therefore,   hold  that  the  above-mentioned  292 industries shall  as per  the schedule  indicated  hereunder change-over to  the natural  gas as  an industrial-fuel. The industries which  are  not  in  a  position  to  obtain  gas connections -  for any  reason - shall stop functioning with the aid  of coke/coal in the TTZ and may relocate themselves as per the directions given by us hereunder.      We order and direct as under:- (1)  The industries  (292 listed above) shall approach/apply tot he GAIL before February 15, 1997 for grant of industrial gas-connection. (2)  The industries  which are  not in  a position to obtain gas connections and also the industries which do not wish to obtain gas connections may approach/apply to the Corporation (UPSIDC)/Government before  February 28,  1997 for allotment of alternative plots in the industrial estates outside TTZ. (3)  The GAIL  shall take  final decision  in respect of all the applications  for grant  of gas connections by March 31, 1997 and communicate the allotment letters to  he individual industries. (4)  Those industries which neither apply for gas connection nor for  alternative industrial  plot shall stop functioning with the  aid of coke/coal in the TTZ with effect from April 30, 1997.  Supply of  coke/coal to these industries shall be stopped  forthwith.   The  District   Magistrate   and   the Superintendent of  Police shall  have  this  order  complied with. (5)  The GAIL shall commence supply of gas to the industries by June  30, 1997.  As soon as the gas supply to an industry commences, the  supply of  coke/coal to  the  said  industry shall be stopped with immediate effect. (6)  The Corporation/Government  shall  finally  decide  and allot alternative  plots, before  March  31,  1997,  to  the industries which are seeking relocation.

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(7)  The relocating industries shall set up their respective units  in  the  new  industrial  estates  outside  TTZ.  The relocating industries  shall not function and operate in TTZ beyond December  31, 1997.  The closure by December 31, 1997 is unconditional  and irrespective  of the  fact whether the new unit outside TTZ is completely set up or not. (8)  The Deputy  Commissioner, Agra  and the  Superintendent (Police),  Agra   shall  effect   the  closure  of  all  the industries on December 31, 1997 which are to be relocated by that date as directed by us. (9)  The U.P.  State Government/Corporation shall render all assistance to  the industries  in the process of relocation. The allotment  of plots,  construction of factory buildings, etc. and issuance of any licence/permissions, etc., shall be expedited and granted on priority basis. (10) In order to facilitate shifting of industries from TTZ, the State  Government and all other authorities shall set up unified single  agency consisting  of  all  the  departments concerned to  act as  a nodal  agency to  sort out  all  the problems of  such industries.  The  single  window  facility shall be set up by the U.P.State Government within one month from today.  The Registry  shall communicate  this direction separately to  the Chief  Secretary, Secretary  (Industries) and Chairman/Managing  director, UPSIDC along with a copy of this judgment.  We make  it clear that no further time shall be allowed to set up the single window facility. (11) The State  Government shall  frame a scheme for the use of the  land which  would become  available  on  account  of shifting/relocation of  the industries before June 30, 1997. The State  Government may seek guidance in this respect from the order of this Court dated May 10, 1996 in I.A. No. 22 in writ Petition (Civil) No. 4677 of 1985. (12) The shifting  industries on  the relocation  in the new industrial estates shall be given incentives in terms of the provisions of  the Agra  Master Plan and also the incentives which  are  normally  extended  to  new  industries  in  new industrial estates. (13) The  workmen   employed  in   the  above-mentioned  292 industries shall  be entitled  to the rights and benefits as indicated hereunder:-      (a)  The workmen shall have continuity of employment at      the new  town and  place where the industry is shifted.      The terms  and conditions of their employment shall not      be altered to their detriment.      (b)  The period  between the closure of the industry in      Agra and  its restart  at the place of relocation shall      be treated  as active  employment and the workmen shall      be paid their full wages with continuity of service.      (c)  All those  workmen who  agree to  shift  with  the      industry shall  be given  one year’s wages as ’shifting      bonus’ to  help them  settle at  the new  location. The      said bonus shall be paid before January 31, 1998.      (d)  The workmen  employed in the industries who do not      intend to  relocate/obtain  natural  gas  and  opt  for      closure, shall be deemed to have been retrenched by May      31, 1997, provided they have been in continuous service      (as defined  in Section 25-B of the Industrial Disputes      Act, 1947) for not less than one year in the industries      concerned before  the said  date. They  shall  be  paid      compensation  in   terms  of  Section  25-F(b)  of  the      Industrial Disputes  Act. These  workmen shall  also be      paid, in  addition,  six  years’  wages  as  additional      compensation.      (e)  The compensation  payable to  the workmen in terms      of this judgment shall be paid by the management within

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    two months of the retrenchment.      (f)  The gratuity  amount payable  to any workman shall      be paid in addition.      Before parting with this judgment, we may indicate that the industries in the TTZ other than 292 industries shall be dealt  with   separately.  We  direct  the  board  to  issue individual notices  and also  public notice to the remaining industries in the TTZ to apply for gas connection/relocation within one month of the notice by the Board. The Board shall issue notice within one month from today. The matter to come up for  further monitoring in this respect before this Court on April 4, 1997.      We may also indicate that this Court by order dated May 10, 1996 has stopped the operation of all the brick kilns in the TTZ  with effect  from August  15, 1996.  This court  by order dated  September 4, 1996 has directed that the fly-ash produced in the process of the functioning of thermal plants may be  supplied to  the brick kilns for the construction of bricks. This  would  be  a  useful  step  to  eliminate  the pollution caused by fly-ash.      This  Court  is  separately  monitoring  the  following issues for controlling air pollution in TTZ:- (a)  The setting  up of  hydrocracker unit and various other devices by the Mathura Refinery. (b)  The setting  up of  50  bed  hospital  and  two  mobile dispensaries by  the mathura Refinery to provide medical aid to the  people living  in the surrounding areas (Court order dated August 7, 1996). (c)  Construction of  Agra bypass  to divert all the traffic which passes  through the  city. Under  directions  of  this Court, 24  kms’ stretch  of the bypass shall be completed by the end of December 1996 (Court order dated April 10, 1996). (d)  Additional amount of Rs. 99.54 crores sanctioned by the Planning Commission  to be  utilised by the State Government for the  construction  of  electricity  supply  projects  to ensure 100  per cent  uninterrupted electricity  t the  TTZ. This is  necessary to  stop the operation of generating sets which are  major source  of air  pollution i  the TTZ (Court orders dated  April 10, 1996, May 10, 1996, August 30, 1996, September 4, 1996 and September 10, 1996). (e)  The construction of Gokul Barrage, water supply work of Gokul Barrage,  roads around Gokul Barrage, Agra Barrage and water supply of Agra Barrage, have also been undertaken on a time  schedule   basis  to  supply  drinking  water  to  the residents of  Agra and to bring life into river Yamuna which is next  to the  Taj (Court  order dated  May 10,  1996  and August 30, 1996.). (f)  Green belt  as recommended  by NEERI  has been  set  up around Taj. Pursuant to continuous monitoring of this Court, the Green Belt has become a reality. (g)  This Court  suggested to  the  Planning  Commission  by order  dated  September  4,  1996  to  consider  sanctioning separate allocation for the city of Agra and the creation of separate cell  under the  control of  Central Government  to safeguard and  preserve the  Taj, the city of Agra and other national heritage monuments in the TT. (h)  All  emporia  and  shops  functioning  Within  the  Taj premises have been directed to be closed. (i)  Directions have  been issued to the Government of India to decide  the issue,  pertaining to  declaration of Agra as heritage city within two months.      We are mentioning these issues dealt with by this Court because it may be necessary to monitor some of these matters to take  them to  a logical extent. This Court may look into these matters on April 4, 1997.

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    The issue  relating to  292 industries is thus disposed of.