New Delhi:
The Supreme Court today directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey and submit a report on how safe the four minarets of the Taj Mahal are. The court has sought the report within six weeks.
The apex court is hearing a petition on the issue filed by MC Mehta, after media reports that raised fears that the Taj minarets were not stable. The Yamuna river flows by the famous heritage monument and the Agra authorities have to constantly ensure that the water stays at a level that will not weaken the base of the minarets. The court has posted the next hearing for February 8, 2012.
The ASI has told the Supreme Court that a survey from 2005 to 2010, done to determine the tilt of the minarets, showed that they were stable and that there had been insignificant changes.
It also told the court that a team from IIT Kanpur would laser scan the white marble monument to ascertain whether it had been damaged in places. The Central Building Research Institute, Rourkee, had recommended the laser scan.