AIMIM’ Owaisi alleges ASI neglect in maintaining historical monuments after reports of damage to murals at Akbar’s tomb

Agra (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 18 (ANI): AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday took a swipe at the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for allegedly neglecting and showing “disinterest” in maintaining historical monuments.

The AIMIM Chief also raised concerns about why the 551 crore allocated for the conservation of ancient monuments in the 2023-24 Union Budget was not utilised to protect the monuments.

After reports of damage to 400-year-old Mughal-era paintings at Akbar’s tomb, Owaisi took to his social media handle to spotlight the issue.

“This is another glaring example of @ASIGoIneglect and its disinterest in maintaining historical monuments. @ASIGoIwas allocated 551 Crores for the conservation of Ancient Monuments in 2023-24 Union Budget, why have they not utilised these funds to protect monuments?” posted Owaisi on X.

Meanwhile, Superintending ASI Agra, Dr Rajkumar Patel spoke to ANI after reports of water leakage at the Taj Mahal.

The ASI official said that there is no damage to the heritage structure even as the garden adjacent to the 17th-century mausoleum remains submerged.

The ASI inspected the 17th-century structure with drone cameras to ascertain if any damages were caused.

Speaking to ANI, Patel said, “Two things came into light in connection to the Taj Mahal after the incessant rains. The first was that water was seeping in through the dome and the second was that the water had filled in the garden area in front of the monument.”

“Now in the matter of rainwater being filled in the garden, we intentionally do not drain out the water because there are already pits and wells in the area to drain the rainwater. The water filled in the area automatically drains out in around 2 and a half hours and does not need to be drained out because the system for draining excess water has already been adopted there,” Patel said.

Adding further he said, “The next matter of water seeping in through the dome was also taken into consideration and yes water droplets were seen in the structure. We carried out a detailed investigation after the rains stopped. We also conducted a detailed videography of the outer dome surface with the help of drones. No damages have come to light in the detailed investigation, which means there were no major cracks or broken areas from where the water might’ve seeped in.”

“There are however some suspicions as to how the rainwater got in. We are waiting for Friday when the Taj Mahal is closed for the public to conduct these types of investigations,” said Patel.

Earlier this week, the water level of the Saryu River in Ayodhya had risen amid rainfall in the region.

Central Water Commission official Balram said that the water level of the Saryu River has crossed the danger mark.”The water level has been increasing right now it is 93.100 m, which is 37 cm above the danger level, the water level has been increasing since yesterday,” Balram said.

Earlier on September 13, Prayagraj recorded 0.3 mm of actual (average) rainfall.

11 districts in the state were affected by floods. So far, 17 people have died due to floods, as per information by the office of the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.