ASI officials inspect Taj after reports of damage

A team of ASI officials inspected the basement of the building on Thursday.

Officials of the Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) inspected the Taj Mahal following reports that the basement of the 17th century monument has been seriously damaged.

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A team of ASI officials led by D Dayalan, Superintending Archaeologist, Agra Zone, inspected the basement of the building on Thursday and said conservation of the underground vaults was being done on a periodic basis.

"The conservation of the underground chamber is in progress and Rs 10 lakh has been received for the purpose," senior conservation assistant RK Dikshit, who was part of the team, said.

The officials' visit came after a local newspaper reported that the basement of the Taj Mahal was in a poor state and might crumble in the near future if immediate steps are not taken to undo the damage.

"Conservation work of the monument is being carried out periodically and all parts of the building including the underground vaults are covered under it," Dayalan said.