Traders protest against SC orders to ban commercial activities around Taj Mahal

Soon after the Supreme Court ordered a ban on commercial activities within 500 meters of the iconic Taj Mahal, traders staged a protest, stating that over 400 shops and hotels could be shut down after the latest order, affecting their livelihood.

Soon after the Supreme Court ordered a ban on commercial activities within 500 meters of the iconic Taj Mahal, traders staged a protest, stating that over 400 shops and hotels could be shut down after the latest order.

The order was issued following a writ by some shopkeepers who had been displaced from the Taj Mahal's western gate by the ADA and were allotted shops elsewhere. Since then, the Agra Development Authority has been investigating the shops and business activity, asking them to close by October 17.

The bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Abhay S. Oka issued the directions on Monday, which read, "We allow the prayer and thus prayer 'A' of IA No. 91272/2022 reads as under direct the Agra Development Authority to remove all business activities within 500 meters from the boundary/peripheral wall of the monument Taj Mahal which shall be in tune with Article 14 of the Constitution of India".

Unhappy with the SC orders, the residents of the Tajganj area claimed that if this order is implemented, it will result in a complete erosion of the livelihood of many who have been running their businesses for decades from their houses situated within 300 meters of the Taj Mahal's outer boundary.

Meanwhile, staging a protest, the traders closed the market and pasted the posters saying that we too have a family, do not snatch the livelihood. A large number of traders jammed road and marched towards the residence of Union Minister SP Singh Baghel.

The Union Minister said that the development authority and the local administration will discuss the order and proceed accordingly.

(With inputs from ANI)