The white marble monument built by Mogul emperor, Shah Jahan, is turning yellow because of the high levels of pollution. A parliamentary commission urges clay pack to restore original splendour to the mausoleum.

New Delhi (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A parliamentary committee says pollution is turning the Taj Mahal yellow, despite efforts by the Indian Government to control air contamination around the monument and keep it shimmering white.

In a report to Parliament this week, the standing committee on transport, tourism and culture said airborne particles were being deposited on the monument's white marble, giving it a yellow tinge. The committee recorded high levels of air pollution except during the rainy season.

It suggested a clay pack treatment that is non-corrosive and non-abrasive be carried out to remove deposits on the marble – and recommends that “while undertaking any conservation activity at the Taj Mahal, abundant cautions should be taken to retain the original glory of the shimmering white marble of the Taj Mahal”. The treatment – which costs over 230 thousand dollars - will need to be repeated every two or three years.

Authorities have made various attempts in the past to keep the area around the Taj Mahal pollution free, including setting up an air pollution monitoring station in Agra.

The white-marbled domed monument was built by the Mogul emperor Shah Jahan for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Attracting around 20,000 visitors every day, the monument was completed in 1648 after 17 years of construction by 20,000 workers.

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