Concerns about the Taj Mahal’s upkeep have surged after a tourist’s photo on social media revealed plant growth on the monument’s central dome. The plant was seen sprouting between the marble stones on the northern side of the dome, following recent rainwater seepage that caused droplets to fall into the tomb below.
Shakeel Chauhan, national general secretary of the Tourist Guide Federation of India, criticized the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for this oversight, especially considering the Rs 4 crore spent annually on the monument’s preservation. He emphasized that images of plant growth damage the Taj Mahal’s reputation and urged immediate conservation efforts post-monsoon.
Rajkumar Patel, the superintending archaeologist, responded by stating that all plants were removed from the mausoleum’s walls in August. He assured that the newly appeared plant would be dealt with promptly. A tourist guide also raised concerns about displaced inlay stones near the plant, warning they could cause further damage if not restored soon.
The issue of plant growth extends to Agra Fort as well, with a retired ASI official cautioning that if roots are not removed quickly, they could lead to long-term structural damage. Maintenance challenges at the Taj Mahal continue, as heavy rains recently caused the roof of a toilet at the Shilpgram parking lot to collapse, though no injuries were reported. Additionally, waterlogging at the monument’s assistance center has added to the list of concerns.
