LUCKNOW: Latin American singing sensation Ricky Martin is likely to sway the senses of country's music lovers with a live concert near the Taj Mahal on February 25.

The ``Cup of Life'' fame singer alongwith his troupe is likely to kickstart his World Tour with this concert on February 25, on the banks of river Yamuna, adjacent to the the 17th century monument of love. The remaining concerts of the tour will be held at other historical locations including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Coliseum in Rome, Great Pyramids in Egypt and the Pantheon in Greek capital Athens.

After the Latin heart throb announced his plan to perform near the Taj, the tourist city is gearing up for the show, but not without its share of controversies on the kind of impact it will have.

The environmental experts have already expressed their reservations on the environmental hazard the concert may cause.

Similarly, in 1997 the show by yanni near the world famous monument was mired in controversy before even taking off. The show, however, was later held at a stone's throw from the monument.

Even though the details of the programme have not been released so far, it is said that the show will take place on the riverbank, somewhere near the green Mehtab Baag, where the Yanni concert had been organized.

Senior Police Superintendent Rajiv Krishna, however, said that he was yet to receive official information about the concert.

The event is expected to benefit UNICEF's ``Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS campaign,'' as well as Youth AIDS and the Ricky Martin Foundation, UNICEF sources said here on Sunday. ``The organisers would certainly approach the Supreme Court through the Union Culture and Tourism ministry for clearance, after the detailed programme was ready,'' sources added.

However, Martin's office has already made an announcement abroad that he would perform in India. His office has also confirmed that the singer has already signed for the programme in India.

The Supreme Court monitors the conservation of Taj and is expected to examine the impact of such programme on the monument. - UNI

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