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Pollution Turning Taj Mahal Yellow, Parliament Recommends Facial
It took 17 years and an estimated 20,000 laborers to build the Taj Mahal. Conceptualized by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj was bleached-bone white upon completion. It has remained a shimmering white since 1648. Now, however, this unparalleled monument to love is beginning to yellow, thanks to pollution.
In a report to parliament this week, the standing committee on transport, tourism and culture said airborne particles were giving the monument's white marble a yellow tinge. Though the government has forced industry to relocate away from the landmark and vehicles are not allowed to pass within 1½ miles of it, "suspended particulate matter" has nevertheless been recorded at high levels.
To that end, the committee suggested giving the Taj a "clay pack treatment that is non-corrosive and non-abrasive" to remove deposits on the marble. In other words, the Taj is going to get a spa day. This is one expensive facial: Experts estimate the two-month-long restoration will run in the neighborhood of a quarter million dollars.
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Filed under: India
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
KMW May 31st 2007 3:13PM
Good story. Very interesting. How does that compare to other monument restorations such as the Eiffel Tower or Statue of Liberty, etc. It sounds about par for the course in today's economy.
Not a fan of shrines or such, but any building standing since 1648 in that kind of condition deserves to be maintained.
spike pressley May 31st 2007 3:23PM
I am sure the taj mahal has brought in $ well over what the costs are to keep it preserved.ands will continue to add to Indias econamy I think it is paying it own way
Jay Lintz May 31st 2007 3:40PM
That's "one expensive" Day Spa.....
Carol May 31st 2007 4:56PM
Why not just put an end to pollution, so that we can all get a 'spa day', irrespective of the economy?
chaugusttrinity May 31st 2007 8:08PM
why not spend a million to try and clear up some of the air pollution, rather than putting a million dollar bandaid treatment on the beautiful taj mahal!? It's trying to tell us something by turning yellow! we can see the effects on marble... just think of people's lungs!!