'Decrease in revenue earnings from Taj Mahal'

There has been a dip in the revenue earnings from Taj Mahal in 2014-15 as compared to the previous years, Rajya Sabha was told today.
The revenue earned through entry fee and other sources like filming at Taj Mahal complex in Agra during 2012-13 was Rs 24.58 crore, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said in a written reply.
In 2013-14, the revenue earning from the world famous monument was Rs 22.40 crore, which has reduced further to Rs 21.78 crore in 2014-15.
However, the expenditure for upkeep of the monument has increased from Rs 12.04 crore in 2012-13 to Rs 13.73 crore in 2013-14 and Rs 16.24 crore in 2014-15.

Sharma said air pollution and other natural factors are liable to cause deteriorating impact on the marble surface of Taj Mahal as a result of physical and chemical interaction.
The interaction of air pollutants, particularly of suspended particulate matter with marble, in combination with other factors may be responsible for the altered aesthetic appearance of the surface in comparison to the original colour and sheen of Taj Mahal, he said.