Tue Apr 22 09:20:18 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court Orders Assessment of Taj Mahal Pollution
**New Delhi, April 22, 2025** – The Supreme Court of India has ordered the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to assess the impact of nearby glass industries on the Taj Mahal. The court expressed concern over pollution levels in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), a 10,400 square kilometer area surrounding the iconic monument.
The order, issued on Tuesday, directs NEERI to complete an assessment and submit a timeline for completion. All government agencies, including the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board, are mandated to assist in the process. The court stated that if the industries are found to be significant polluters, it will consider relocating them.
The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board has been instructed to form a team to inspect the industries and submit an interim report after reviewing five of them. This interim report will inform further court decisions.
The Supreme Court’s action follows previous criticism of the TTZ authority for its environmental protection efforts, questioning whether the preservation of the Taj Mahal was being taken seriously. The court has been actively involved in monitoring the area to ensure the protection of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
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