(a) whether reports of illegal construction around Taj Mahal, the famous world heritage site, has been reported;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the number of complaints received by the Government in this regard; and
(d) the action taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING, PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, PERSONNEL, PUBLIC
GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)
(a)to(d) Yes, Sir. Thirteen cases in 2009, and twenty-two in 2010 of illegal construction
activities around the Taj Mahal have been noticed by the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI).
In all the cases, the ASI has lodged complaints with the local police. Notices were also
issued to the defaulters under the provisions of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites
and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules, 1959. The district authorities have also been approached in
all the cases for removal of illegal constructions.