AURNGABAD, June 8: BIBI ka Maqbara, a replica of the Taj Mahal and the sole example of Moghul architecture of its kind in the Deccan plateau, is in danger as toxic fumes and smokes emanating from brick kilns situated near the mausoleum are damaging the exquisite monument.

Sulphur dioxide, soot and other suspended particles spewed out by the kilns that burn large quantities of coal were getting deposited on the white stone and marble structure built in 1679 by Emperor Aurangzeb's son Prince Azam Shah. As a consequence, the snow white structure is slowly getting blackened even as its smooth surface is corroding due of the chemical reaction of sulphur dioxide with marble. When contacted, district collector Sanjay Kumar said, the Maharashtra Government had recently asked the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to assess the impact of the fumes on the maqbara and submit a report.

The study by the ASI with the help of the State Pollution Control Board had indicated that air pollution in the area around the world heritage site, was more than the permissible level. Besides damaging the monument, the kilns were also posing danger to the inhabitants of the area, so the State Govt decided to close down the kilns in the area.``While about 20 brick kilns were shut down and asked to shift to a safer place, six were still operating in the area as their owners have gone to court, demanding protection from eviction,'' Kumar said, adding, ``Once the legal hurdles are over, govt would initiate further steps to clear the area of all brick kilns''. The tomb stands within an enclosed area, 500 yards long and 300 yards broad.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.