Question : CONDITION OF TAJ MAHAL

(a) whether there are reports of the Taj Mahal facing danger of collapse over the next few years;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;

(c) whether it is a fact that the foundations of the said monument have become brittle and are disintegrating, and that certain cracks had appeared last year in parts of the Tomb and the four minarets which surround the monument are showing signs of tilting;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps being taken/proposed to be taken to protect the world renowned monument in every respect?

MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND MINISTER OF CULTURE(KUMARI SELJA)

(a) Apprehensions have been expressed in some sections of print media, without & any proper scientific basis.

(c) No Sir. Scientific studies got conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India & through different agencies such as Survey of India, Dehradun; Central Building

(d) Research Institute, Roorkee; and National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad have concluded that the said monument, including the four Minarets, is quite stable in plan as well as elevation.

(e) The conservation work at the Taj Mahal is attended to, continuously depending upon the need of repairs and availability of resources. The monument is regularly monitored by conducting essential studies.