The Supreme Court on Friday took note of the findings of experts that the Taj Mahal might collapse due to a weakening foundation and issued suo motu notices to the Centre, ASI and UP government to take urgent measures to save one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
A bench of Justices D.K. Jain and A.R. Dave initiated the suo motu action during the hearing of a pending PIL on improving the environment around the Taj.
The bench took note of the experts’ opinion that the drying of the Yamuna bed close to the 17th century mausoleum would result in the collapse of its foundation base (system of wells, arches and woodenspoked wheels of hard 'saal' wood, which needs constant moisture).
Asking the UP government to explore the feasibility of feeding water from the river towards the foundation base wall, the court sought replies from the UP chief secretary, ASI and Union ministries of culture, environment and forests and water resources in two weeks.