Agra — In a significant development, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered a water seepage in the iconic Taj Mahal’s main dome, using advanced thermal scanning techniques. The leak, detected at a height of 73 meters, has raised concerns about the long-term structural integrity of the world-renowned monument.
Currently, the main dome is covered in scaffolding as ASI begins a detailed examination, expected to take 15 days. Following the assessment, restoration work will commence and is projected to take around six months to complete, according to officials.
Prince Vajpayee, Senior Conservation Assistant at the Taj Mahal, confirmed that the Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) survey revealed three major concerns. “First, the mortar between the stones on the main dome is decaying. Second, the door and the roof floor of the dome have weakened. Third, and most critical, the finial or pinnacle on top of the dome is supported by an iron rod that has rusted and swelled, damaging the surrounding mortar,” he stated.
The ongoing conservation efforts underscore the complexity of preserving the 17th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site, which continues to face environmental stress and aging-related wear. ASI assures that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure that the structural and aesthetic integrity of the monument remains intact during the restoration.
This marks one of the most detailed dome-level conservation interventions on the Taj Mahal in recent decades.
