New Delhi, July 24: After the Supreme Court’s remark to “either restore the pristine beauty of the Taj or demolish it”, the Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday filed a draft vision document on restoration and preservation of the monument. Earlier this week, Avanish Awasthi, principal secretary (tourism) had said that the School of Planning and Architecture in Delhi, which was engaged for preparing the vision document, has almost finalised the draft and it shall be submitted soon.

Reports inform that the Uttar Pradesh government in March 2018 had signed an agreement with the School of Planning and Architecture to prepare the draft within four months, as per the directives of the Supreme Court. The institution was sanctioned Rs 76 lakh for the purpose.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had expressed anguish over the state government’s failure to come out with a vision document to save the marbled monument. According to a report by TOI, the government will release a 100-year vision document that will propose steps to preserve the Taj Mahal. The steps include the introduction of greener modes of transport, shutting down polluting industries in the vicinity, starting a bio-ethanol project among others.

According to reports, an 'ethanol policy' will be introduced for Agra that is believed to include conversion of biomass to ethanol during the crop burning season, use of ethanol auto rickshaws and the introduction of mass rapid transport system, which in turn would curb the pollution menace.

Meenakshi Dhote, head of environment planning department at the School of Planning and Architecture had earlier said that a copy of the draft will be submitted to the UP government according to the scheduled duration of four months, that was given to us by the SC. Dhote had informed that the final copy will be submitted in September.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 24, 2018 12:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).