Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Jagmohan has threatened to approach the Supreme Court if the UP government does not undo the damage caused at the Heritage Corridor site in Agra.The ministry had ‘‘requested UP government to stop construction work at the site and order a probe. The state has done so and an inquiry is on. I have also asked them to undo the damage caused at the site. If the government does not do so, we will approach the Supreme Court and seek demolition of the Heritage Corridor,’’ Jagmohan said yesterday.The minister also said that UNESCO, which had been informed about the goings-on at the Taj Mahal heritage complex, has ‘‘appreciated the stand taken by my ministry.’’ He added, ‘‘a team from UNESCO may visit the site soon to evaluate the situation and the damage caused.’’Jagmohan convened a meeting yesterday which was attended by senior officials from the UP government, the Union Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Environment and Forests.Those present at the meeting included UP Chief Secretary D.S. Bagga; vice-chairman, Agra Development Authority, Anil Kumar; Commissioner, Agra, B.M. Meena; Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, C. Vishvanathan; the UP Environment Secretary and M.R. Arora, consultant, National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC). The Heritage Corridor was being built by NPCC.Speaking about the meeting, Jagmohan said, ‘‘the UP Chief Secretary explained in detail what has been happening in Agra. The state government has ordered the technical audit to look into the damage wrought at the site, how the construction was allowed and what can be done to save the Taj now.’’ Once completed, the report will throw light on who had ordered the construction. Jagmohan said both Bagga and Vishvanathan told him that the project had not been cleared by their respective departments.Officials from the Environment Ministry also claimed that they had not cleared the project. They said the NPCC had not submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the ministry without which it does not sanction any project.
