Vrindavan Today News (Agra)
By Brij Khandelwal
May 1, 2025
Agra, currently grappling with the severe inconvenience of relentless traffic jams amidst scorching summer heat, faces an even more complex challenge as the monsoon is expected to arrive in approximately forty days. The onset of the rainy season invariably exacerbates existing civic issues and introduces new vulnerabilities.
As May 2025 commences, the Agra Municipal Corporation (AMC) stands at a crucial juncture, presented with a vital window to prepare for the impending monsoon. Historically, the rainy season has brought significant disruption to the city. Last year alone, between June and September, Agra recorded over 800 mm of rainfall. This deluge led to widespread flooding in low-lying areas, overflowing drains, and a concerning 30% surge in mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue.
This year, the situation is compounded by alarmingly high levels of air pollution. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has already breached the ‘severe’ category, hovering above 400, making pollution control a significant parallel challenge. The vast accumulation of waste along the banks of the Yamuna River and the environmental threats posed to the iconic Taj Mahal demand immediate and focused attention. While the Uttar Pradesh government has set an ambitious target of planting 350 million saplings across the state, including fruit-bearing trees along highways, the AMC must concurrently implement concrete measures to mitigate monsoon-related challenges and build the city’s resilience. Although a drainage cleaning program has been announced, a comprehensive plan to address encroachments remains conspicuously absent.
Agra’s drainage system frequently becomes choked with a hazardous mix of soil, plastic, and accumulated waste. In 2024, over 60% of the city’s drains were clogged, resulting in significant waterlogging on roads and inundation of homes. The municipal corporation must urgently launch a comprehensive drainage cleaning campaign this month, employing mechanized equipment and dedicated teams of laborers. This effort should particularly focus on vulnerable low-lying and drain-adjacent areas. Regular inspections and transparent public reporting of the progress will be crucial. Such proactive measures will not only prevent waterlogging but also curb mosquito breeding, which contributed to a 25% increase in malaria cases last year.
The Yamuna River, a lifeline for Agra, tragically accumulates approximately 1,500 tonnes of waste annually, posing a severe threat to both public health and the environment. The mounds of garbage along the riverbanks exacerbate flooding risks and damage the delicate ecosystem surrounding the Taj Mahal. The AMC needs to collaborate with local NGOs and volunteers to initiate a robust campaign for the removal of both plastic and organic waste. Establishing waste segregation units along the riverbanks and imposing substantial fines (up to ₹5,000) for illegal dumping will foster greater public awareness and responsibility. A cleaner Yamuna will not only safeguard public health but also protect the aesthetic integrity of the Taj Mahal. Alarmingly, the riverbed is now witnessing the growth of vegetation nourished by the polluted discharge from untreated drains, necessitating an immediate clean-up from the Water Works to the Hathi Ghat. Recent reports from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board indicate that the Yamuna’s biological oxygen demand (BOD) near Agra is critically high, exceeding permissible limits by over eight times, further underscoring the urgency of this intervention.
Agra’s numerous community ponds, vital for groundwater recharge, are increasingly facing the dual threats of encroachment and siltation. Last year, only a meager 15 ponds underwent partial cleaning, significantly compromising their flood mitigation capacity. The municipal corporation must take decisive legal action to remove encroachments and deploy heavy machinery for desilting these crucial water bodies. Engaging and educating local communities can play a pivotal role in their long-term preservation. A recent study by the Central Ground Water Board highlighted that Agra’s groundwater levels have declined by an average of 1.5 meters in the last decade, making the restoration of these ponds even more critical for sustainable water management.
Aligning with the Uttar Pradesh government’s ambitious tree plantation drive, Agra should aim to plant at least 50,000 fruit-bearing trees, such as mango and guava, along highways and within designated green belts. Preparatory work, including digging 2×2 feet pits, nurturing saplings, and applying compost, must commence this month. Involving schools and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) will foster greater public participation, thereby enhancing Agra’s green cover and contributing to pollution reduction. Last month, the PM2.5 level in Agra reached a perilous 250 µg/m³, far exceeding the safe limit prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Experts from the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), Lucknow, have recently published a report linking prolonged exposure to such high PM2.5 levels with a significant increase in respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular problems in Agra’s population.
Within the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), stringent measures are essential to curb construction dust, enforce a complete ban on waste burning, and actively promote the adoption of electric rickshaws for local transport. Installing at least five new air quality monitoring stations and disseminating real-time data through a user-friendly mobile application will empower citizens to take necessary precautions. Incentivizing local industries to adopt cleaner technologies is also paramount. A recent directive from the Supreme Court of India has reiterated the need for strict enforcement of environmental regulations within the TTZ to protect the Taj Mahal from further degradation due to pollution.
On the health front, Agra witnessed a concerning 1,200 cases of dengue during the monsoon season last year. The AMC must significantly intensify its fogging campaigns and organize proactive health camps for early disease detection and management. Ensuring an adequate stock of essential medicines, providing specialized training to healthcare workers, and equipping flood relief teams with necessary resources such as boats and pumps are crucial for effective crisis response. Public awareness campaigns focusing on sanitation and proper waste disposal are vital to prevent the spread of diseases. Data from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) indicates that Agra is consistently identified as a high-risk zone for vector-borne diseases, necessitating a more robust and preemptive public health strategy.
The Taj Mahal, attracting approximately 7 million tourists annually, faces a significant threat from both the monsoon and escalating pollution levels. The AMC must collaborate closely with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to undertake comprehensive cleaning drives in the vicinity of the monument, improve drainage systems to prevent waterlogging around the complex, and plant at least 1,000 trees as a green buffer to mitigate pollution. Reducing vehicular emissions within a 5 km radius of the Taj Mahal is crucial to protect its pristine marble. Recent scientific studies conducted by environmental agencies have revealed that the Taj Mahal’s marble is showing signs of discoloration and structural weakening due to the combined effects of air pollution and acid rain.
By acting swiftly and decisively in May, formulating data-driven strategies, and actively engaging the community, the Agra Municipal Corporation can still ensure a cleaner, greener, and more resilient city. The time for proactive measures is now, before the monsoon arrives, or else regret will be the only outcome.
