AGRA: The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed concern over the change of colour of the Taj Mahal and said the monument, which had become yellowish earlier, was now turning brownish and greenish. The apex court suggested that the Centre should take the assistance of experts from India and abroad to first assess the damage and then take steps to restore the historic monument.

Reacting to the apex court’s observation, officials of the Archaeology Survey of India ( ASI ) said that though they were working their best to remove the effects of pollution on the Mughal-era monument, nothing much could be done “unless the source of environmental pollution was not dealt with”.

Talking to TOI, ASI superintending archaeologist ( Agra circle), Bhuvan Vikram Singh said, “We are doing our best to remove the effects of environmental impact on Taj Mahal.” He said he will be able to comment further only when he reads the SC order.

MK Bhatnagar, ASI’s superintending archaeologist (chemical), said, “Any efforts from our side will not work unless we don’t deal with the source of pollution.”

The chemical branch of the ASI had recently suggested that the only way to save the 17th century monument is to reduce pollution in the city. The recommendation came after ASI’s preliminary study on the suspended particulate matter (SPM) around the mausoleum that had shown “high” SPM.

Experts say that particulate matter, such as dust and fumes, has damaged the painted surfaces, fabrics and the building. “Due to their abrasive nature, SPM can cause damage to exposed surfaces when they are driven by wind at high velocities,” experts say.

SPM, recorded by Centre Pollution Control Board (CPCB) from April 1 to April 16 this year, was found to be between 300 and 713 µg/m3. The annual average for SPM in residential areas should be below 100 µg/m3.

Last month, ASI officials had noticed green and black patches again emerging on the white marble mausoleum due to insect attack, following which, they began the mud-pack treatment afresh. Incidentally, this was the fourth time since 2015 that the chemical branch of ASI initiated the therapy to remove “green stains” left because of insects identified as goeldichironomus (chironomus calligraphus).

Green activists attributed it to the rising pollution levels in the Yamuna , saying it led to an explosive breeding of the insects in the river, on whose banks stands the 17th century monument.

In its action plan about conservation and preservation of the Taj, which was submitted to the parliamentary standing committee on environment, the archaeological body had fixed March 2018 as the deadline for completion of the mud-pack treatment on Taj. Though the conservation work of four minarets and facades have been completed, but dome work is yet to complete due to absence of scientific studies. Now, it is likely to be completed this year.

The marble mausoleum had been given this treatment three times in the past: in 1994, 2001 and 2008.

