Lotus Temple turning yellow: Delhi's pollution taking a toll over Bahai House of Worship

New Delhi, Apr 16: After Taj Mahal started losing its sheen due to air pollution, now its Delhi's iconic Lotus Temple which is facing the adverse impacts of pollution. As per a commission appointed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the vehicular pollution around the white marble building has made some stones turn yellow in colour.

As per a TOI report, two commissioners visited the Bahai House of Worship on Wednesday as per NGT's orders to a petition that claimed that vehicular emissions are causing the white marble monument turn grey.

In its inspection, the team has found that exposure to air pollution is taking the toll over its white marble stones of the monument's walls.

The petitioner has also complained to tribunal about the increasing noise pollution in the area due to illegal parking and traffic jams in the area. This noise pollution in the area is also distracting the visitors who gather here for meditation. The Lotus Temple is an acoustic marvel inside which people are not allowed to talk loudly.

"There is a major problem of illegal parking and severe traffic congestion which is obviously causing a lot of emissions. We are not sure about the graying or yellowing of marble though. We will make a detailed report of our observations and submit to the bench within a few days," said one of the commissioners.

The Bahai Faith is an independent world religion and the Lotus Temple is among only 7 such Bahai temples in the world.

Earlier, this month the NGT has barred diesel vehicles that are more than 10 years old from plying in Delhi in an attempt to curb vehicular pollution, a move that's likely to take an estimated 10 lakh vehicles off the road, especially taxis.

Tribunal had asked the government to submit a report on the proposal to ban all diesel vehicles on March 16 in this regard and improve the air quality in Delhi.

OneIndia News