ASI proposes Rs 5.49 cr action plan to preserve Taj Mahal

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has come out with a three-year action plan to preserve Taj Mahal -- one of the most visited world heritage sites -- with a proposed cost of Rs 5.49 crore.
The action plan comes after a Parliamentary panel on environment, headed by Congress MP Ashwani Kumar, had last month pulled up the government and recommended in a report that the ASI should submit an action plan at the earliest and take immediate steps to protect Taj Mahal.
Briefing media about the development, Kumar said: "On our instruction, ASI has given a time-bound plan of what they will be doing. This is for the first time that we have asked from ASI a written commitment because there is huge concern in India and abroad about the need to preserve Taj Mahal."

The ASI has submitted the action plan with a proposed cost of a total Rs 5.49 crore for implementation during the short and medium term period, he said.
ASI is also holding consultation with experts from IIT Chennai to find lasting solution and to determine appropriate technology, he added.
That apart, Kumar said that the Parliamentary panel has written to the Agra Development Authority Commissioner to take "urgent" action to treat effluents related to waste water and sewage surrounding the Taj Mahal and stop bathing of buffaloes and animals in Yamuna river around the monument.

The panel has asked to develop green belt and comply the Supreme Court direction regarding control of pollution and developments around Taj, he added.

As per the action plan, ASI said that the immediate measure to preserve Taj Mahal would be queue management at a cost of Rs 1.05 crore.
It has recommended glass barricade to protect ornate marble work inside mausoleum.
The other measures include cleaning of Taj, mending of stone and improving green belt among others.
According to ASI, the cleaning of Taj would be completed in five phases at a proposed cost of Rs 2.74 crore.
The cleaning of four minarets, pedestal wall and interior of mausoleum would be completed by end of next year, while the scientific treatment and cleaning of facade, pinnacle, dome and four chhatris would be done by end of 2018, it said in the action plan submitted to the Parliamentary panel.

Mending of stone and restoration of pathways would cost about Rs 1.2 crore and the work would be completed by the end of September 2016, it added.
ASI said, "Above timeline has been worked out keeping in view certain technical requirements as well as smooth movement of visitors.