On Tuesday, the municipal officials with an army of Safai Karamcharis, JCB machines, bull dozers, and the Thana police trooped into the main Petha market at Noori Darwaza, to pressure Petha makers to agree to pay an extra amount per Bhatti (furnace) for cleaning up the area.

 For the past two months, the Petha makers mostly concentrated in the Noori Darwaza area, were dilly dallying and avoiding to sign the agreement with the corporation.

 Municipal commissioner fixed November 30 as the final deadline.

 A corporation official said that 50 Petha makers have signed the agreement and have paid the monthly fees.

 It would now be possible for the local body to clean up the whole area, deploying additional men and machines on duty.

The local residents had long been complaining of pollution caused by Petha waste which attracted flies and mosquitoes.

The administration says there are more than 300 Petha units in the area. In coming days the others will be forced to pay the additional charges for cleanliness, he added.

Petha and Dal Moth are the most sought after souvenirs for domestic tourists visiting the city of the Taj Mahal.

Old timers say the Mughals introduced the sweet when Taj Mahal was being built, for the army of laborers, artisans and craftsmen who toiled hard in heat. Petha is full of energy and an inexpensive sweet.