SC seeks Centre, UP's response on threat to Taj

New Delhi, Oct 14: Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports that the Taj Mahal might collapse by the next five years, the Supreme Court today (Oct 14) sought response from the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government on the reported threat to the 17th century monument of love.

A bench of justices D K Jain and A R Dave issued notices to the UP government, the Archaeological Survey of India and the Ministry of Environment and Forest and asked them to file their response within two weeks.

The mausoleum’s foundations are reportedly rotting and turned brittle as the Yamuna river, which feeds the building’s mahogany,(evergreen trees), is running dry owing to deforestation and pollution. It is stated that the foundation of the famous monument had been damaged and the wood used in the wells had rotten.

It was said that water in the Yamuna is an essential pre-requisite to maintain the massive foundation that supports a complex system of wells, arches and wooden spoked wheels and the dry ambience could fragment and disintegrate the massive sal wood.

The Taj was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his third wife Mumtaz between 1632 and 1653. The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 15.

PTI