Taj Mahal, built during the rule of Mughal King Shahjahan is gradually turning yellowish in colour over the last few years commensurate with the pollution increase and other factors. It is but natural that this phenomenon is arrested at the earliest if not fully contained .
The Apex Court of India on May 1, has expressed concern over the change of colour of the said monument from yellowish to brownish and greenish. The court has desired and suggested that the Central Government requisitioned the services of experts from the country as also from abroad. The damage needs first to be assessed and then necessary steps taken to restore to it its original colour.
This monument was built between 1631 and 1648 or in 17 long years and the marble stones are nearly 400 years old continuously exposed to dust, winds, polluted air containing smoke, rains etc and the stones having a fixed life span during which they gradually wane or lose the texture and natural glow. Agra city is polluted, less clean, congested, with massive deforestation and emissions of gases, considered an inseparable part of economic activities and development, now-a-days. Those factors accentuate the problem.
Those who in recent years might have been on a visit to the monument must have been seeing thousands of visitors thronging there daily, the site being replete with noise , air dust, etc as also those in charge like Archaeological Survey of India and other religious bodies paying inadequate attention towards its maintenance – all adding to its problems.
The top court has been monitoring the developments in the instant case and next date of hearing is posted on May 9. Time, neglect, pollution, inadequate care etc are all responsible for many historic monuments and symbols gasping for survival. Government alone could not do the redeeming unless the people cooperated.
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