Supreme Court bans commercial activities in 500 m radius of Taj Mahal

The Supreme Court has released an order that bans all commercial activities within 500 m range of the Taj Mahal in Agra. The order has triggered a controversy as uncertainty looms over hundreds of commercial outlets operating around the iconic architecture.

There are several shops, emporiums, hotels and restaurants within 500 m radius of the Mahal.
The order was passed this Monday where the SC has asked the Agra Development Authority (ADA) to immediately take the action and stop all commercial activities. A World Heritage Site, the structure is visited by lakhs of tourists every year.

The order comes after a group of shopkeepers filed a petition because they were shifted from their original location to a new place. The group complained that they were asked to move out, while several commercial activities are still going on in the area. The SC’s order will affect at least 500 commercial outlets in the Taj Ganj region.
As per a rough estimate, some 50,000 people could go jobless with this action. People now are thinking of moving a review petition in the apex court. On the other hand, the ADA has already started a survey and listing of all commercial establishments.

Apparently, the region within 500 m of the monument is also a no-construction zone, and no vehicle is allowed in the area.