JOIN USGlass cover to protect Taj Mahal
The tourists’ desire to touch the main tomb of the Taj has been slowly destroying the fine inlay work on the main tomb. The authorities, in a bid to protect the main tomb, have decided to cover it by a transparent glass cover so that the tourists can see it but not touch it.
A proposal in this regard has been sent to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is responsible for the upkeep of Taj Mahal.
Taj Mahal assistant conservator Munazzar Ali said though there was a wooden railing around the main tomb for its protection, the visitors still tried touching it. “The fine inlay work on the tomb has been suffering damage,” Ali told Deccan Herald from Agra. “The inlay work has a special contribution in the beauty of Taj,” he says.
The fine piece of work has been damaged at several places. The ASI had recently sanctioned Rs 40 lakh for repair, Ali said. The matter was brought to the notice of ASI regional director Pratap Bhanu Singh Senger during his recent visit to the monument. He immediately asked for a detailed proposal. “The glass cover will enable the visitors to see the main tomb but they will not be able to touch it,” he pointed out.
The stones for this purpose will be brought from Rajasthan. “The stones will be tested before being used for inlay work,” Ali said.
DH News Service