Column

An impromptu visit to the Taj Mahal confirmed that all’s not well with the world heritage site in Agra, built between 1631 and 1648 by Mughal emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his wife. The white marble masterpiece has been given a mudpack facial to remove toxics gathered due to pollution caused by, among other things, diesel generators used by the state-owned emporium nearby during frequent power cuts.

The facial to the monument annually visited by at least 8 crore tourists is welcome, but the emporium’s use of two generators within the Taj complex demonstrates that Archaeological Survey of India, state pollution control board and the district administration have scant regard for the repeated Supreme Court (SC) directions for its upkeep.

It is strange, if not ironical, that the grave defiance has been going on for years and the authorities have the impunity to undertake before SC that strict action had been taken to ensure the beauty and health of the Unesco-recognised heritage site.

Friendly encroachments have been made by commercial photographers and quack
guides. The close-circuit cameras at the entrance of the monument on the banks of the Yamuna are broken. The Central Industrial Security Force guards protecting the structure aren’t well-equipped to detect and seize objectionable material. A big-size plastic pack containing sugar-free tablets was allowed. Global terrorism pattern shows that certain ingredients needed to make lethal ammunition could be smuggled in gradually and put in place to damage a protected site.

What is hurting the Taj most is the unchecked air pollution being caused by a cremation ground within the complex, toxic fumes from power generators and the stink from the highly contaminated Yamuna.

The small gardens facing the Taj are unkempt, the trees surrounding it look withered and toilets stink. An ITDC restaurant that occupies a huge property at a small distance isn’t helping.