The Hindu : National : Taj safe, reclamation effect minor: report

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Wednesday, Sep 08, 2004

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Taj safe, reclamation effect minor: report

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 7. The Pune-based Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) has said that all monuments on the banks of the Yamuna at Agra, including the Taj Mahal are safe.

From the river hydraulics point of view, the effect of the reclamation for the Taj Heritage Corridor Project on the structures has been insignificant.

The Supreme Court had asked the CWPRS to study the impact of the reclamation of the river bed on the monuments after the Uttar Pradesh Government approved the Rs. 175-crore Taj Heritage Project without obtaining environmental clearance from the Union Government. The court had stayed the execution of the project.

In its 18-page report submitted to the court in July, the CWPRS has said the two monuments — the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort — do not need additional protection against the impact of the reclamation. The report, `Assessment of Effect of Reclamation on Monuments at Agra,' says, "presently, all the monuments on the banks of the Yamuna at Agra are standing safe and have been standing for quite long time."

Mathematical models

The CWPRS was directed to conduct mathematical model studies to ascertain the behaviour of the Yamuna, and morphological studies to evaluate possible upstream and downstream aggradation and degradation as a result of `river training' undertaken by the National Project Construction Corporation (NPCC) for the project.

No erosion

The inspection of the site indicated that the channel of the Yamuna from the Poiya Ghat to a distance of 1.8 km. downstream of the Taj is stable.

The banks are firm and do not show erosion or sedimentation, the technical report said. But bank protection measures at the Taj or at other historical structures in the conventional form such as slope pitching and stone aprons were not seen.

The results of the mathematical model studies, under pre and post-reclamation conditions were compared against various hydraulic parameters such as wetted area of cross section, intensity of discharge, velocity of flow and streamlines.

The results, supported by soil data and field observations, have shown that the reclamation has not had any impact on the flow field at the reclamation point or in the reach immediately downstream.

The mathematical model results are applicable for the reclamations of the size, shape and levels observed during the survey conducted from November 2003 to March 2004, and compared under pre- and post-reclamation scenarios only. If any new hydraulic structure is added or the existing reclamation modified, naturally or artificially, these results may not be applicable.

Reclamation of the riverbed under the Taj project was started at two places in Agra in October-November 2002 but was stopped when it was pointed out that the work could adversely affect the monuments.

In May 2003, the Supreme Court directed the CWPRS to carry out this technical study.

Under the Ancient Monuments and Remains Protection Act, 1958 any construction on a 100-metre area around the two World Heritage monuments — the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort — is strictly prohibited. Construction activity within in an area of 200 metres is regulated.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had also raised objections to reclamation work being carried out a mere 80 metres from the walls of the Agra Fort.

They allege that no permission, notification or consultation was sought before the reclamation was started.

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