JNNURM - GANGAPEDIA

City Development Plan for Agra City in the state of Uttar Pradesh under JNNURM
Roman Catholic Cemetery, as it is popularly
called, is situated on the eastern extension of the
Mahatma Gandhi Road (MG Road), opposite to
the Civil Court of Agra. It is one of the ancient most
Christian cemeteries in Agra. As per reports, the
site of the cemetery is part of the estate granted by
Akbar to the Roman Catholic Mission. The
cemetery contains tombs of different nationalities.
About sixty monuments including three World
Heritage Sites are under the protection of the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and most of
them belong to the architectural grandeur of the
Mughals (1526-1707). The list of protected
monuments is given in Annexure 5.1.
Besides these monuments there are about one
hundred unprotected monuments, heritage
buildings, remains of gardens etc. which should
be the target of the present development plan of
Agra city. With tourist’s interest in mind there is a
need to survey these historical places and
develop them as places of tourist interest by
providing facilities like motorable roads, basic
amenities like toilets, potable water, a respectable
canteen, trained guides etc.
St. Johns College founded in 1850
Environmental Impact on Monuments:
In order to keep the monuments at Agra in sound and strong condition for survival till
posterity the quality of air should be free of industrial pollutants, suspended particulate matter
fly ash etc. In this connection the Apex court has ordered the closure of Iron foundries, which
were polluting the environment. The Indian Railways having a shunting yard near Agra fort
were asked to use low content sulphur fuel in order to keep the pollution under control.
Authorities of Mathura Refinery are aware of the importance of role of air pollution and
accordingly they have taken measures for up-gradation of pollution control equipment for the
reduction of Sulphur Dioxide (So2) contents of air during winter months (November-
December- January-February). This is significant because the gaseous pollutants are heavier
than air and have a tendency to remain suspended at lower levels and their concentrations
during low temperatures in winter months may cross critical limits and thus, set in the process
of degradation of material of monuments (marble, sandstone, mortar, iron dowels, iron
clamps etc).
Suspended particulate matter (SPM) is reported to be higher then permissible levels at Agra
and they are a cause of concern. They contain red colored compounds of iron, which cause
oxidation of so2, Nox etc. to corresponding acids. These mineral acids even in small
concentrations can be harmful to the material of monuments and also to the living beings.
In view of the above, the following issues are identified:-
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MDP Consultants in association with Allianz Securities Ltd
Roman Catholic Cemetery