ASI backtracks, says Taj restoration will take only 3 yrs

AGRA: A day after TOI reported that it would take nine years for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to remove yellow stains from the entire outer marble surface of the Taj Mahal, ASI’s science branch at Dehradun, which had supplied the information under an RTI query, has said it provided the wrong information and apologized for it.
Under the clarification, the department has now said it will complete the cleaning of four minarets, pedestal walls, facades and the dome of the main mausoleum by 2018 and not 2024, as reported earlier.It added that there is also a plan to put barricades and glass shields around the main mausoleum so that visitors do not touch or spit on the walls. The damaged portions of the monument will also be repaired and semi-precious stones missing from inlay designs will be restored.
The Parliament Standing Committee (PSC) on Environment in April had directed ASI to submit an interim action plan for restoration of the Taj. A RTI reply was sought from the Union ministry of culture in this regard, which in turn directed the ASI’s science branch to provide the information. An earlier reply by the department had stated that it would take nine long years to complete the clay pack (fuller’s earth) therapy on outer surfaces of the 17th century white marble monument. However, on Wednesday, the department stated that this information was incorrect, and sent another reply about the interim action plan.
According to the new information, the cleaning of the Taj will be carried out in five phases. The department said it will complete the work on four minarets by June next year, while scientific treatment and cleaning of interiors of the main mausoleum up to human height will be completed by January. The mud pack therapy of facades — including arches — will begin in April next year and will be completed by March 2018.
Keeping in view the height of the dome and its special architectural features, the department said it will first conduct technical studies in association with specialized institutions before starting the actual work. The deadline of March 2018 has been fixed for this in the interim plan.
However, VK Saxena, director of the ASI’s science branch at Dehradun said, “The scientific treatment of the dome may not be done, as rain water keeps falling on it, due to which accumulation of pollutants is lesser here than on other parts. Moreover, erection of scaffolding will be another challenge. We plan to take this work only after 2018. Meanwhile, we will evaluate the ongoing work and see its effectiveness.”
Saxena informed that the initial calculation was the work would take nine years to complete, but after brainstorming and including works to be done by other wings (horticulture and structure), the final plan spanning over three years was made and submitted to the PSC.
The RTI reply stated that restoration of damaged parts including repairs of ornamental stone work and marble panels would be completed by March next year.
The ASI plans to make changes in entry and exit points of the main mausoleums and put barricades so that visitors don’t touch walls or spit in the interiors. Another proposal is to put glass shields on the ornate marble works and inlays inside the mausoleum.