Year Ender

Another year is about to end,

Agra's unfulfilled aspirations

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Agra has been a victim of injustice and neglect. From the pair of bulls to the cycle, neither Maya nor Ram.

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By Brij Khandelwal

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24 December 2024

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When the city of Agra gave the BJP 10 MLAs, three MPs, a mayor and a district board president after a long series of elections, people felt that "dukh bhare din bete re bhaiya," now the golden age of the city would begin, as it was believed that the elected representatives had a close sense of ground reality, who understood the harsh reality of life in Agra and the local aspirations. But this excitement was short-lived. One by one their hopes were dashed and pending demands were shelved.

As the year is coming to an end, it is appropriate to look at Agra's unfulfilled agenda. A city steeped in history, it would surely be the most popular and developed in Europe, yet today grapples with unfulfilled aspirations.

Despite its world-renowned heritage, residents are increasingly disillusioned as their needs are not being met, but are being denied development because of heritage, whereas Agra once boasted a global reputation for its entrepreneurial prowess and industries.

A burning issue is the lack of a barrage on the Yamuna river. This infrastructure project, aimed at improving irrigation and managing water resources, has been delayed, leaving farmers and local communities vulnerable to the seasonal whims of nature. The dream of an international airport in Agra remains unfulfilled, hampering tourism development and constraining tourism prospects. As a city that draws millions of people because of the Taj Mahal, the lack of modern transport facilities is a significant constraint. This has not only limited visitor access, but also reduced opportunities for business expansion and connectivity.

Moreover, the absence of a new sports stadium deprives Agra’s budding athletes of the facilities they need for training and competition. This not only stifles local talent but also sends the message that recreational and professional sports are not a priority for the city.

When we compile the list of pending demands, it becomes clear that plans to promote tourism are notably absent. Instead of leveraging its rich heritage, Agra presents a drab façade to the world. Pollution control strategies also remain elusive, leading to deteriorating air quality, affecting both public health and the city’s attractiveness.

Local industry is equally neglected, with no packages of incentives in place. The shoe industry, which is a vital pillar of Agra’s economy, suffers from inadequate facilities that hamper growth and innovation. The potential of an agricultural university and IT park is yet to be realised, limiting opportunities for youth empowerment and knowledge acquisition. The promise of a ferry service on the Yamuna to improve tourist experience is still unfulfilled. Other such demands, including an international stadium, Mughal museum now renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum, inauguration of an agricultural university, leather park, IT hub and a bench of the Allahabad High Court, have all been forgotten. Iron foundries, glass factories, handicrafts and leather shoe units are still awaiting the package of benefits promised in the past. The tourism industry has suffered huge losses during the Covid-19 pandemic and is facing a number of hurdles, as assurances of reforms have not been given yet. The Yamuna river is almost dead. "Not only UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had also promised to take appropriate steps to rejuvenate and revive the Yamuna to its pristine glory. Gadkari had assured on three different occasions that ferries would bring tourists from Delhi to Agra and the Yamuna would be cleaned. But the ground reality still remains disappointing," said Pandit Jugal Kishore of the River Connect campaign. The plight of Agra University, the crippled state of health services, the crumbling traffic system, the declining faith of the public in the police, stray animals on the roads, aggressive armies of monkeys on the roofs, there are a lot of problems, but the public representatives are inspired by Kumbhakaran and are absorbed in a yogic posture of eternal bliss.

Let us hope that 2025 will be auspicious for the city dwellers.