Banish power cuts in Taj city: Mughal descendant

AGRA - Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy, the self-proclaimed great grandson of last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, Saturday demanded improvements in Agra’s power situation and direct international flights to the Taj city.

Talking to mediapersons at the Taj Khema, after attending the 355th Urs (death anniversary) of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, Hyderabad-based Tucy said the Taj Mahal’s security had been compromised due to power cuts.

Without adequate power, the security agencies were was not able to run the electronic scanning gadgets and provide foolproof security to the monument, he said, demanding urgent steps to secure heritage city status for Agra.

The Taj Mahal, arguably India’s biggest tourist draw, is located about 200 km south of New Delhi.

Tucy said he will approach the Supreme Court to demand action against Agra’s private power distribution company. It had committed a contempt of the apex court’s order, he alleged.

Talking to IANS, Tucy said: “Without power the whole of Taj Ganj area was dependent on diesel generators, which led to increase in the pollution levels.”

He said it was shocking and unbelievable that despite being India’s star tourist destination, the city was not connected by air. This caused a lot of inconvenience to visitors.