Is Taj Mahal, the monument of love, turning yellow? Despite various studies by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) pointing out that pollution in Agra was within permissible limits, there have been concerns about yellowish patches scarring the whitish glow of the marble.
A recent parliamentary committee report has pointed out that a pale yellowish layer was enveloping the Taj. In the wake of the report, the ASI would carry out a cleaning drive at the Taj next month, ASI officials said here. “There may be some yellow patches which keep appearing. We will try to remove them through scientific means,” ASI Director (Science) Kushal Singh Rana said.
Stating that pollution in Agra has not yet reached alarming levels, Rana said the ASI would use clay pack cleaning method to remove the yellowish stains. Under this method, clay pack is mixed with water to soak out the dust particles that make up the yellow colour on the marble. The real culprit is dust, scientists here said.
“The outer part of Taj which remains exposed to rains, do not get affected by pollution; it is only the dust particles which gather on the covered parts,” said Rana.
For the past 15 years, levels of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, considered noxious gases, are within permissible limits, the scientists said. It’s  only during summers that the concentration of dust particles becomes high and they get deposited on the Taj. During the monsoon, the Taj becomes cleaner following the rain, they said.