AGRA, Sept. 15 -- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has launched conservation work at the Taj Mahal after the monument withstood heavy rains and rising floodwaters that touched its northern walls. Though built on a high platform and beyond the reach of floodwaters, the Taj still faces the impact of rains, as seen in September 2024, when water seeped through its dome.

Presently, ASI teams are busy with the conservation of white marble minarets. Senior conservation assistant (SCA) at the Taj Mahal for ASI, Prince Vajpayee, said it was a conservation exercise called 'pointing' undertaken to fill the joints through mortar to check water seepage.

"Pointing is basic to any conservation task mostly undertaken after rains. The thermal sc...