Doubts over Taj Mahal replica in New Zealand

Auckland, Oct 26: The proposal by an Indian Group in New Zealand to build a Kiwi version of the Taj Mahal in the Auckland suburb of Eden Terrace has been objected to by some members of the group, saying that they have no confidence in the committee.

According to reports, some members of the Auckland Indian Association have said that they don't have confidence in the committee behind the proposed 20 million dollar 'Taj Mahal' cultural centre, because it has been unable to get a code of compliance certificate for the existing centre, even though it was opened eight years back.

"We could have the eighth wonder in Auckland, the world's first leaky-home Taj Mahal," The New Zealand Herald quoted a member of the association, as saying.

"Many who have donated to the original building will also think twice about contributing to this project because if it is like the first, more money will be spent fixing it than building it," the member added.

The planned replica will rise on the site of the existing Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Auckland, and could include a marble mausoleum, reflection pool and gold-plated ornaments.

However, an Auckland City Council official said that the Mahatma Gandhi Centre did not have a compliance certificate due to several problems, including a leaky roof and a toilet that did not meet rules covering accessibility for disabled people.

The Auckland City Council's manager for building inspections, Tim Weight, said the association had been issued several notices to fix faults, but the association had failed to do anything regarding the structure or safety of the building.

Meanwhile, association member Mukund Bikha said that the problems raised by the city council were being dealt with, and a final inspection date had been booked.

He also said that the association had no plans to build a Taj Mahal replica, but rather a cultural centre reflecting India's culture and history.

ANI