The Taj Trapezium

Ten Point initiative for reduction of pollution in Taj

In recent years, the impact of air pollution on the Taj Mahal has become a matter of grave concern. It has been recognised that corrosive impact of pollutants and emissions from industries. vehicles etc., in the vicinity of Taj needs to be addressed first. Keeping this in view, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, has launched a 10 point programme aimed at reducing air pollution for protection of this national monument by introducing cleaner fuels. The progress of implementation of the programme is closely monitored by a task force set up in the Ministry. The point-wise status of implementation of the programme is given below:

i) LPG for all house holds

The entire waiting list for LPG connections in Taj Trapezium area has been cleared and connections are now offered across the counter.

ii) Supply of lead free Petrol

Unleaded petrol has been made available through 22 retail outlets in Agra. Low lead petrol containing a maximum lead content of 0.15 gm\ltr. is also available in all the outlets,

iii) Preferential allocation of LPG for industries

Under this programme Oil Companies are in position to supply LPG. to industries and commercial establishment in the Taj Trapezium area. But the demand from the industry has been very poor.

ULP in Taj Trapezium

Given the importance of Taj as an international monument, the ULP facilities were first introduced on the Delhi-Agra highway failing in Taj Trapezium and also in the city of Agra. This is expected to improve the environmental conditions in and around the Taj Mahal.

Low lead petrol in Taj Trapezium

In order to further contribute to the protection of the Taj, low lead petrol having a lead content of 0.15g/1 has been introduced in the whole of the Taj Trapezium w.e.f. 1.9.95. The sale of high lead petrol has been altogether discontinued in the Taj Trapezium.

Low Sulphur HSD in Taj Trapezium

Since sulphur is highly corrosive, and therefore detrimental for the Taj Mahal, low sulphur HSD with a sulphur content of 0.5% was introduced in the Taj Trapezium area from 1.4.96. However, going a step further, it was decided to reduce the sulphur content in HSD sold in Taj Trapezium. Therefore, HSD with a maximum sulphur content of only 0.25% was introduced in Taj Trapezium from 1.9.96.