Night viewing of Taj stayed by SC

Night viewing of Taj stayed by SC
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, DEC 17: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the much-hyped decision of the Uttar Pradesh Government and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to allow night viewing of the majestic Mughal monument Taj Mahal by tourists as an application pointed out serious hazards of the decision.A division bench comprising Justice S Saghir Ahmad and Justice M J Rao ordered interim stay of the decision to allow visitors to view the Taj Mahal from December 22 night while issuing notice to the State Government and the ASI on an application moved by environmentalist lawyer M C Mehta.

Mehta pointed out that a high-powered committee headed by former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief G C Saxena had recommended taking of specific measures to protect the 17th century monument, which is one of the seven wonders of world, before opening it for night viewing by tourists.

Mehta, who had won Magsaysay award for his efforts to protect environment, brought to the court's notice plans of U P Tourism Department's plansfor the millennium to attract tourists from around the globe to the Taj Festival during February 17 to 27 next year by inviting newly crowned Miss World Yukta Mookhey and her predecessors Aishwarya Rai and Diana Hayden.

He said Taj was in the hit list of terrorists and any such grand festival would make it easy for them to strike at one of the most valued monuments.The court has also issued notice to the Union Civil Aviation Ministry when the advocate pointed out that there was threat to Taj from the vibrations caused by the flights flying over the monument.