Uttar Pradesh was among the majority of states in the country to ban plastic, however, the latest video from the Taj Mahal does not seem to accept the claim. A video by The Times of India shows plastic bags and bottles lying around the pathway leading to the structure. The plastic bags are mostly used ones that are worn on feet before entering the world heritage site to keep the mausoleum of white marble clean. However, the same plastic bags have been littered all over the place making it an utterly awful site.

While the video has gone viral, officials of Archeological Survey of India have something else to say. The authorities said that the video must have been at the time of cleaning the monument. They said that their staff constantly check the cleanliness and collect shoe covers and bottles thrown by the visitors.

Here is the video:

Earlier this month, Union minister for culture and environment Mahesh Sharma had administered a pledge to Agra residents for making Taj Mahal and surroundings litter and polythene free. He said that people should not use plastic products within a radius of 500 metres of Taj Mahal.

The Times of India quoted Bhuvan Vikram Singh, superintending archaeologist, ASI (Agra circle) as saying, "This can't be true as we have taken steps to improve the situation." Rajiv Saxena, secretary of Tourism Guild Association said," Before any declaration, officials should have done some groundwork for alternate arrangements, otherwise, no scheme will be ever successful."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 20, 2018 05:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).