Taj Mahal's Foundation Is Under Threat Due To Decrease In Yamuna Water Levels

The lack of water around Taj Mahal could potentially be disastrous for the monument.

Experts say the Taj Mahal is built on massive wooden slippers that have shrunk over the years because of the decrease in the flow of the Yamuna.

"If a barrage is constructed, it would not only add to the life of the Taj Mahal but would also beautify the surroundings with a water front. The matter has been pending clearance and we cannot understand the reason for the delay," said an ASI official.

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Alarming situation

Archaeologists and conservationists have already rung the alarm bells on lack of water in the Yamuna. The then BJP MP from Agra, Ram Shankar Katehria, said that a dry Yamuna was a threat to the Taj Mahal.

"Several studies have been carried out on this. There are shafts of wood holding together the foundation of the monument. This wood needs to be moistened by the river's waters to lend strength to the foundation. But the water table below the structure is depleting because of a dry Yamuna," he said.

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Naveen Jain, Agra mayor, said that Taj Mahal's beauty is under threat due to lack of water.

We're concerned about Taj Mahal's beauty due to lack of water consistency around it. Consistent water flow around Taj Mahal also solidifies its foundation. If there's no water, it leads to algae,bugs which hamper its beauty. Request Centre to look into it: Naveen Jain, Agra mayor pic.twitter.com/NR1G0MuSYV

¡ª The Times Of India (@timesofindia) February 12, 2021

"We're concerned about Taj Mahal's beauty due to lack of water consistency around it. Consistent water flow around Taj Mahal also solidifies its foundation. If there's no water, it leads to algae, bugs which hamper its beauty. Request Centre to look into it," he said.