Plant grows out of Taj Mahal’s marble dome, Locals raise concerns

A visitor posted a picture of the growing plants on the marble facade of the Taj Mahal’s central dome on social media, prompting questions about the monument’s upkeep. The plant emerged on the northern side of the dome, growing in between the marble stones, shortly after moisture leaked through the white, ivory structure and dropped into the tomb beneath.

There are groups and tour companies who are doubting the effectiveness of the current conservation initiatives. “The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) spends Rs 4 crore annually on the Taj Mahal’s preservation,” stated Shakeel Chauhan, national general secretary of the Tourist Guide Federation of India. “Such images tarnish the monument’s reputation.” He insisted on immediate conservation efforts following the rainy season.

The superintending archaeologist, Rajkumar Patel, reported that all plants on the mausoleum’s walls were removed in August. “This plant has appeared in the last 15 days and will be promptly removed,” he informed. A visitor guide warned that shifted inlay stones near the plant could cause additional harm if not corrected soon.

Plant growth has also had an influence on Agra Fort, with a former ASI official warning that if the roots are not removed, they may cause long-term structural damage.
Locals voiced alarm about the occurrence, saying it demonstrates a lack of frequent monitoring and maintenance. They stated that the event of neglect in the conservation of the Taj Mahal has sparked media attention.

Furthermore, the ceiling of a restroom in the Taj Mahal’s Shilpgram parking lot fell on Tuesday owing to heavy rain, although no injuries were reported. The Agra Development Authority has closed the restroom for renovations. On Wednesday, tourists reported waterlogged conditions at the monument’s help centre.

You might also be interested in – ASI bans carrying water bottles into Taj Mahal