Repeated road paving leaves Taj Mahal waterlogged: ASI to SC

NEW DELHI: Repeated paving of roads around the historic Taj Mahal has pushed their level nearly three-quarter of a metre above the monument's forecourt because of which rain water frequently floods the complex posing danger to the Mughal-era structure, the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI) complained to the Supreme Court on Monday.

ASI counsel A D N Rao said, "Stagnation of water in the forecourt will not only obstruct easy flow of visitors but also affect the foundation of structures like dalans, the main entrance gate located around the eastern forecourt."

The ASI also said if re-carpeting of roads every year was not checked, the road level would get higher than the monument located on the riverfront and become an eyesore. "They should dig up the road and then re-lay it to maintain the level," Rao suggested.

A bench of Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and Justices F M I Kalifulla and Vikramjit Sen asked the Agra Development Authority to follow the ASI's advice on this score. The bench said, "We do not want any damage to the monument."

The ASI affidavit said, "Taj Mahal is located on the riverfront. Therefore, the area around the monument acts as a catchment and the rainwater of this area drains naturally towards the Taj complex. While some portion of the runoff water is diverted through available drains, some gets diverted through the southern, western and eastern gateways into the forecourt of the Taj Mahal complex and inundates it.

"This problem is further complicated by the rising levels of the eastern and western approach roads. The level of the road is being raised every year by adding thick courses of bitumen. As on today, the forecourt is about 75 cm below the eastern approach road. The roads are sloped to match the inner levels of the complex. This facilitates easy flow of surface water into the Taj Mahal."