The two Mayawati projects

• The Rs 2,250 crore Taj Expressway project — now given the all-clear by the Narayan committee — envisages a 150 km stretch of international standards from Noida to Agra, reducing the Delhi-Agra travel time from 3-4 hours now to some one-and-a-half hours. The agreement was signed with Jayprakash Associates on Feb 7, 2003. It has been held up ever since the Mulayam Singh government took over that year.

• The other Mayawati government project in controversy is the Rs 175 crore Taj Heritage Corridor, aimed at creating shopping arcades, tourist complexes, amusement parks, and restaurants on a 2 km stretch from Agra Fort to Taj Mahal. The matter is sub judice in the SC.