The Supreme Court dismissed a petition on Friday that sought to declare Agra a ‘heritage city.’ The court ruled that there was no evidence showing any benefit from such a declaration.
A bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuiyan rejected the application, which was part of a 1984 PIL concerning the Taj Mahal’s protection and preservation.
The bench explained, “There is no proof that the city would gain special advantages. Additionally, this court cannot issue such a declaration. Thus, we dismiss the interim application.” During the hearing, the bench questioned the lawyer about the benefits of declaring Agra a heritage city and the legal grounds for such a move.
The lawyer argued that Agra, with its 1,000-year history and numerous historical monuments, deserves the heritage city status. He claimed it would boost tourism, create jobs, and aid preservation.
Justice Oka countered, suggesting that declaring Agra a heritage city might not yield practical results, similar to the ineffective impact of smart city designations. The bench asked, “How will this declaration improve conditions? Will it enhance cleanliness? If not, it would be pointless.”
Justice Oka noted that the court is already handling the Taj Mahal’s protection and monitoring the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ). The TTZ spans approximately 10,400 square kilometers, covering Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras, Etah in Uttar Pradesh, and Bharatpur district in Rajasthan.
The apex court oversees developments to protect the Taj Mahal. Completed in 1643, the Taj Mahal’s construction extended for another decade and remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site.