Marble tiles of Taj Mahal appearing yellowish: Soni

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) Due to high level of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) in the air, the white marble surface of the Taj Mahal, particularly in the niches and arches and the brackets used for supporting the balcony of minarets, acquired a somewhat yellowish appearance while those areas which receive rain do not appear yellow, Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

She said the main reason for the yellowish appearance seems to be dust and dirt deposits, which do not get washed off by the rain water.

The minister said these accretionary deposits over the marble could be safely removed by the clay pack treatment, which is non-corrosive and non-abrasive. The clay used for this treatment is chemically refined aluminum silicate, which is an inert material and has no adverse effect on the marble surface. The clay pack treatment was carried out in 2001-03 and the same is being repeated in certain areas during the current financial year.

The Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) air pollution laboratory at Agra is monitoring air pollution at the Taj Mahal regularly, Ms Soni said.

UNI