The air quality of
Agra city has improved as a result of the implementation of various
schemes for the protection of Taj Mahal. This was stated by the
Environment and Forests Minister, Shri T. R. Baalu in a written
reply to a question raised by Shri Kripal Parmar in the Rajya
Sabha today. The Minister informed that the annual average level
of Sulphur Dioxide has come down from 21micro grams per cubic
meter in 1991 to 15 micro grams per cubic meter in 2001. The Nitrogen
Dioxide level has come down from 12 micro grams to 10 micro grams
while the Solid Particulate Matter (SPM) level remained unchanged
during the said period.
Shir Baalu said that
the Union Government has constituted the Taj Trapezium Zone Pollution
(Prevention & Control) Authority and water supply, drainage,
sewerage, solid waste management, electricity supply, construction
of bye-pass and improvement of roads, plantation and setting up
of ambient air monitoring stations have been sanctioned for the
protection of Taj Mahal. As reported by the Uttar Pradesh Government,
Rs. 259.20 crore including the amount sanctioned by the Union
Government has been spent in this regard upto October 2002.
