SC Lifts Blanket Ban on Industries in Taj Trapezium Zone
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · IR
Why in news
The Supreme Court lifted its two-year-old blanket ban on setting up industries in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), a 10,400 sq km area across five districts in UP and one in Rajasthan. The decision, taken a few months ahead of UP assembly polls, aims to open avenues for employment generation while ensuring environmental safeguards.
Background
The TTZ is a sensitive environmental zone around the Taj Mahal. On October 14, 2024, the SC imposed a blanket ban on establishing any industrial unit in the TTZ without court permission, citing pollution concerns. The UP government sought modification, arguing that non-polluting industries should be allowed to meet youth aspirations.
Key facts
SC lifted its blanket ban on setting up industries in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), covering 10,400 sq km.
TTZ includes districts: Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras, Etah (UP) and Bharatpur (Rajasthan).
The ban was imposed on October 14, 2024, barring any industrial unit without court permission.
UP government argued for flexibility, especially for non-polluting units using electricity or natural gas.
SC accepted suggestion to involve experts from Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and NEERI in scrutinizing 410 pending applications.
The Industry Technical Evaluation Committee of TTZ authority will include one domain expert each from CEC and NEERI.
Experts have veto power; both must concur on the non-polluting nature of the industry.
If experts disagree, the proposal goes to SC for final adjudication.
Even if experts concur, the amicus curiae can refer the matter to SC if judicial scrutiny is needed.
Senior advocate Liz Mathews is the amicus curiae; senior advocate Aparna Bhat opposed the modification.
Prelims pointers
- Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ): 10,400 sq km area around Taj Mahal
- Districts in TTZ: Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathras, Etah (UP) and Bharatpur (Rajasthan)
- Central Empowered Committee (CEC): Supreme Court-appointed environmental body
- NEERI: National Environmental Engineering Research Institute
- Supreme Court bench: CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana
- Date of original ban: October 14, 2024
- Date of lifting ban: July 24, 2026
Mains angles
- GS3 Environment: Balancing industrial development and environmental protection in ecologically sensitive zones
- GS2 Judiciary: Role of Supreme Court in environmental governance and judicial activism
- GS2 Polity: Centre-state relations and federal issues in environmental regulation
- GS3 Economy: Employment generation vs. conservation in heritage areas