Iconic Taj Mahal: SC expresses concern over change of colour

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed concern over the changing colour of the iconic Taj Mahal apparently due to pollution and rapped the government saying "perhaps you don't care" and directing it to take urgent steps to restore the pristine glory of the ancient monument at Agra.

Observing that the monument had earlier turned yellow and was now going brownish and greenish in colour, the apex court pulled up the authorities for not taking appropriate steps to preserve and protect the Taj.

It asked the Centre to take the assistance of experts from India and abroad to first assess the damage and then take steps to restore the 17th century white marble mausoleum.

While perusing the recent pictures of the Taj Mahal, a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta observed, "this is now becoming the eighth wonder of the world".

"First it was yellow and now it is becoming brown and green," the bench commented and asked Additional Solicitor General (ASG) ANS Nadkarni, who was representing the government, as to why the colour has changed.

Nadkarni told the bench that management of Taj Mahal has to be done by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

However, petitioner and environmentalist M C Mehta, who placed before the bench the recent pictures of Taj, said the authorities have not complied with the directions passed by the apex court due to which the condition of the monument has become "horrible".

He said that besides change in its colour, there were patches on the marbles and recently a minaret had also fell down.

To this, the bench told the authorities, "We do not know whether you have or perhaps do not have the expertise. Even if you have the expertise, you are not utilising it. Or perhaps you do not care".

"Perhaps we need some expert organisation from outside India unless there is a decision that the Taj has to go," the bench said, adding, "you can get experts from India as well as from outside."

The bench observed that heads of countries and several dignitaries, including the Canadian Prime Minister, visiting India have gone to see the Taj and the court assumes that the authorities would want to preserve the monument.

"It seems you are helpless. Please think about it. Money is not a problem," the bench said, adding, "this requires some expertise, that is first to assess the damage and then how to restore it".