In a letter to Union environment ministry's secretary, Agra entrepreneurs wrote that the industries are wrongly being blamed for causing pollution in the city, while the factors like road dust, lack of greenery, vehicular pollution and dry Yamuna among other reasons have been overlooked. They said such a decision has put to a complete halt on setting up of hotels, footwear industries and cold storages, the mainstays of Agra's economy. They have also lodged a complaint with the PM office, even as a delegation met the environment minister on Tuesday.

According to information, in last month, the ministry had imposed an "ad-hoc moratorium on the expansion and setting up of new industry (except white category) to control air pollution by the Taj Trapezium Zone Authority (TTZA)" was imposed.

In the meeting, while considering the ambient air quality status and trends in Agra, Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels were to be found within standards. However, the particulate matter (PM10) levels were stated to be higher than the prescribed standards. The "ad-hoc moratorium" was imposed due to increased level of PM10 level.