358-yr-old Taj Mahal 'in the danger of collapsing within 5 years

Economic Times ^ | 10/05/11

[TigerLikesRooster]

5 Oct, 2011, 10.49AM IST, ANI

358-yr-old Taj Mahal 'in the danger of collapsing within 5 years

LONDON: The Taj Mahal will collapse within five years unless urgent action is taken to fix its rotting foundations, campaigners warn.

The 358-year-old marble mausoleum is India's most famous tourist attraction, bringing four million visitors a year to the northern city of Agra.

But the river crucial to its survival is being blighted by pollution, industry and deforestation.

Campaigners believe the foundations have become brittle and are disintegrating.

Cracks appeared last year in parts of the tomb, and the four minarets, which surround the monument, are showing signs of tilting.

The Taj Mahal was built by Mogul emperor Shah Jahan, who was grief-stricken by the death of his wife Mumtaz Mahal in childbirth.

[cripplecreek]

Have the UN declare it a world heritage site (if it isn’t already) and let the taxpayers foot the bill.

Yeah, that’s sarcasm.

[grandpa jones]

I thought for sure they were going to say it was because of global warming.

[apillar]

Minorities and women hardest hit!

[dfwgator]

Well he is getting up there in years.

[dfwgator]

He does look pretty good for 358, you’ve got to admit.

[Thane_Banquo]

When I’m 358, I hope I look that good.

[chuckles]

Get the Taliban to blow it up because it was built for a woman.

[Buckeye McFrog]

It’s only 358 years old? In India that’s practically an urban renewal project

[Paladin2]

Imshallah.

[Red Badger]

They don’t build ‘em like they used to.............

[stormer]

I believe the term you're looking for is “inshallah”. At any rate, why would you want one of mankind's most beautiful creations to collapse?

[Keli Kilohana]

Boosh’s fault?

[Josephat]

They did, indirectly when they wrote of the river drying up.

[Phlap]

GWs fault. That's either George Bush or Global Warming! Just ask any liberal. lol

[Night Hides Not]

Which of these 3 monuments will collapse first?

1. Taj Mahal

2. Social Security

3. Medicare

My money's on #1, but I'm not betting the house on it.

[CincyRichieRich]

Well he is getting up there in years.

---

I may be the only one who gets it; really funny!

[jennychase]

Taj Mahal is symbol of atrocities against poor people. After completing this building King Shah Jahan killed or chopped labors and architectures hands, so that they can’t rebuild.

[algernonpj]

Have the UN declare it a world heritage site (if it isn’t already) and let the taxpayers foot the bill.

Yeah, that’s sarcasm.

Beat me to it. My immediate reaction was this is an opportunity for the EPA to spend mucho US tax $$$$$.

[DManA]

Nearly 57 million people depend on the Yamuna waters. With an annual flow of about 10,000 cubic billion metres (cbm) and usage of 4,400 cbm (of which irrigation constitutes 96 per cent),

It isn't drying up. It's being sucked up. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamuna