Agra administration bans mobile towers and highrises near Taj Mahal
Real Estate

Agra administration bans mobile towers and highrises near Taj Mahal

Mobile towers and highrises can no longer be formed in a 1.5 km radius behind the Taj Mahal to keep the skyline unobstructed.

The Agra administration has included the provision in the city’s master plan, which the government has to permit.

Rajendra Pensiya, Vice-chairperson of the Agra Development Authority, told the media that no building higher than 25 m would be built behind the Taj Mahal, so the panoramic view of the monument is visible without a barrier in the background.

Amit Gupta, divisional commissioner, Agra, who is the ADA chairperson told the media that the decision was taken in a recent board meeting after a survey in March 2020 by the ADA engineering team. The authority had received many complaints about obstructed views of the monument.

Four towers, about 50-60 m high, were seen behind the Taj — three on the west side and one on the east. Pensiya said that one of the mobile towers was demolished. The height of two other towers was decreased to 25m. One high-tension electric pole is on the east side. They are in the process of moving it, but it will take time.

There is just one building taller than four floors in the backdrop. The administration is also considering the trees in the background as a barrier. Various old trees are 50m high but cutting them is not likely as they fall under the Taj Trapezium Zone (a buffer zone marked out to protect the monument from pollution). To cut trees under the area, they require approval from the Supreme Court.

A four-day convention of Unesco experts on visual integrity was conducted in Agra in the year 2013. Rajiv Saxena, vice president of the Tourism Guild Agra, told the media that the ASI is bound to guarantee the visual integrity mandate of Unesco sites comprising the Taj Mahal, accompanied by the 2013 convention.

Munazzar Ali, the former Agra circle senior conservation assistant, told the media that ASI standards specify a ban on construction in a 100 m radius around monuments and a 15-m height cap for the construction in a 300 m radius.

ASI superintending archaeologist (Agra circle) Vasant Swarnkar told the media that it was a long-pending discussion about the view of the monument. It is a welcome step.

Image Source

Mobile towers and highrises can no longer be formed in a 1.5 km radius behind the Taj Mahal to keep the skyline unobstructed. The Agra administration has included the provision in the city’s master plan, which the government has to permit. Rajendra Pensiya, Vice-chairperson of the Agra Development Authority, told the media that no building higher than 25 m would be built behind the Taj Mahal, so the panoramic view of the monument is visible without a barrier in the background. Amit Gupta, divisional commissioner, Agra, who is the ADA chairperson told the media that the decision was taken in a recent board meeting after a survey in March 2020 by the ADA engineering team. The authority had received many complaints about obstructed views of the monument. Four towers, about 50-60 m high, were seen behind the Taj — three on the west side and one on the east. Pensiya said that one of the mobile towers was demolished. The height of two other towers was decreased to 25m. One high-tension electric pole is on the east side. They are in the process of moving it, but it will take time. There is just one building taller than four floors in the backdrop. The administration is also considering the trees in the background as a barrier. Various old trees are 50m high but cutting them is not likely as they fall under the Taj Trapezium Zone (a buffer zone marked out to protect the monument from pollution). To cut trees under the area, they require approval from the Supreme Court. A four-day convention of Unesco experts on visual integrity was conducted in Agra in the year 2013. Rajiv Saxena, vice president of the Tourism Guild Agra, told the media that the ASI is bound to guarantee the visual integrity mandate of Unesco sites comprising the Taj Mahal, accompanied by the 2013 convention. Munazzar Ali, the former Agra circle senior conservation assistant, told the media that ASI standards specify a ban on construction in a 100 m radius around monuments and a 15-m height cap for the construction in a 300 m radius. ASI superintending archaeologist (Agra circle) Vasant Swarnkar told the media that it was a long-pending discussion about the view of the monument. It is a welcome step. Image Source

Next Story
Real Estate

Mahindra Lifespaces Bags Rs 12.5 billion Redevelopment in Mulund

Mahindra Lifespace Developers (MLDL), the real estate and infrastructure development arm of the Mahindra Group, has been appointed as the preferred developer for the redevelopment of a premium housing society in Mulund (West), Mumbai. The project will be developed across a 3.08-acre land parcel, with an estimated development value of approximately Rs 12.5 billion. Strategically located, the site enjoys proximity to major connectivity points—just 1.4 km from the upcoming Mumbai Metro Line 5 and 0.8 km from the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road. It also offers seamless access to the Eastern Expre..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Snowman Adds Warehouses in Kolkata and Krishnapatnam

Snowman Logistics, India’s leading integrated temperature-controlled logistics company, has announced the commencement of operations at its two new state-of-the-art, owned cold storage facilities in Kolkata and Krishnapatnam. With these additions, the company’s total pallet capacity has reached 1,50,754, spanning 43 warehouses in 20 cities across the country. The newly operational Kolkata facility offers a storage capacity of 5,630 pallets, while the Krishnapatnam facility holds 3,927 pallets. These warehouses are equipped with advanced automation and infrastructure designed to enhanc..

Next Story
Resources

Noesis Enables IHCL Hotel Deal in Udupi–Manipal Corridor

NOESIS Capital Advisors, India’s leading hotel investment advisory firm, has successfully facilitated a landmark hospitality transaction in the Udupi–Manipal region of Karnataka. The deal involves the acquisition of a nearly completed, 130-key upscale hotel that will operate under one of the premium brands of IHCL, reinforcing NOESIS’ position as a preferred partner for strategic hospitality transactions across India. Strategically located on the Udupi–Manipal Highway, the 1.03-acre property will cater to business travellers, pilgrims and families visiting Manipal University. With..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?