The construction was under way for basement parking lots with two levels of parking near the monument's east gate. The court was hearing a plea filed by the UP tourism department seeking its permission to cut 15 trees for constructing the lot. "It is respectfully submitted that without cutting 15 trees, the construction of Taj Orientation Centre is not possible. These 15 trees need to be felled on urgent basis so that the construction of the said project can be continued and completed. Facilities and amenities are required to the said area considering the massive traffic and congestion in the area of Taj," the state government said in its application.

Source: Times of India October 25, 2017 06:56 UTC