NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed concern over the change of colour of the iconic Taj Mahal at Agra and said the monument had become yellowish earlier and was now turning brownish and greenish.
The apex court suggested that the Centre take the assistance of experts from India and abroad to first assess the damage and then take steps to restore the historic monument.
“We don’t know whether you have or perhaps don’t have the expertise. Even if you have the expertise, you are not utilising it. Or perhaps you don’t care,” a Bench comprising Justices M B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said. “Perhaps we need some expert organisation from outside India unless there is a decision that the Taj has to go,” the Bench said sarcastically, adding, “you can get experts from India as well as from outside.”
It asked the Centre to take the assistance of experts from India and abroad to first assess the damage and then take steps to restore the 17th century white marble mausoleum.While perusing the recent pictures of the TajMahal, a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokurand Deepak Gupta observed, “this is now becoming the eighth wonder of the world”.
“First it was yellow and now it is becoming brown and green,” the bench commented and asked Additional Solic itor General(ASG) ANS Nadkarni, who was representing the government, as to why the colour has changed.Nadkarnitold the bench that management of Taj Mahal has to be done by the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI).

However, petitioner and environmentalist M C Mehta, who placed before the bench the recent pictures of Taj, said the au thorities have not complied with the directions passed by the apex court due to which the condition of the monument has become “horrible”.He said that besides change in its colour, there were patches on the marbles and recently a minaret had also fell down.

“Perhaps we need some expert organisation from outside India unless there is a decision that the Tajhas to go,” the bench said, adding, “you can get experts from Indiaas well as from outside.

“The bench observed that heads of countries and several dignitaries, including the Canadian Prime Minister, visiting India have gone to see the Tajand the court assumes that the authorities would want to preserve the monument.”It seems you are helpless. Please think about it. Money is not a problem,” the bench said, adding, “this requires some expertise, that is first to assess the damage and then how to restore it”.
In March this year, the apex court had asked Uttar Pradesh government to place before it a draft of vision document on protection and preservation of the Taj and the environment in the TTZ, which is an area of about 10,400 sq km spread over the districts of Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Hathrasand Etahin Uttar Pradeshand Bharatpur in Rajasthan
The top court has been monitoring developments in the area to protect the monument, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahanin the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahalin 1631. The mausoleum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.( With Agency Inputs ).