 |
| Delhi air pollution thehindu.com |
Above image: Experts are of the view the combined onslaught of severe air pollution and acid rain in Delhi could slowly deface or destroy facade of buildings. Structural damage to the Taj Mahal’s white surface is more visible, unlike the damage done to the surface of Humayun’s Tomb (in picture) or the Parliament. thehindu.com Photo image : Sushil Kumar Verma.......
 |
| Delhi air pollution surges outlookindia.com |
 |
| Air pollution threat in Hyderabad indiatimes.com |
 |
| Red Fort, Delhi deccanherald.com/ |
Above image:Severe air pollution in Delhi has led to the formation of black crusts on the city's iconic Red Fort.The crust-deposits are formed due to chemical interaction between pollutants and the walls of the Red Fort made of sandstopne.the thickness of pollutants varies fromo.05 mm to 0.05mmand this could cause severe damage to the facade if no action is taken promptly to reduce the formation od crust deposits on the outer walls.........
The Chemistry of Decay Recent scientific studies have revealed that the deterioration of monuments like the Red Fort is not merely a matter of dust, but of complex chemical transformations. High levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide—primarily from vehicle exhausts and thermal power plants—trigger a "sulfation" process. On the Red Fort’s Vindhyan sandstone, this creates a thin layer of gypsum that eventually hardens into a thick black crust. This crust acts as a magnet for heavy metals like lead and nickel, which further corrode the stone and strip the monument of its historical vibrancy. Similarly, in Agra, despite the creation of the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), the "wonder of the world" continues to battle marble-eating fungi and atmospheric pollutants that turn its pristine surface green and yellow.
 |
| Delhi air pollution outlookindia.com |
The Gap in Political Will and Policy Despite the Red Fort’s status as a symbol of Indian sovereignty, conservationists argue that political will has lagged behind the rate of decay. While legal landmarks like M.C. Mehta’s 1996 petition led to industrial restrictions, implementation remains a challenge. Rapid urban development, such as the Agra Metro and the registration of over 700,000 new vehicles in Delhi in 2024, often offsets the gains made by green initiatives. The National Green Tribunal has frequently flagged that measures like tree-planting drives and electric bus transitions often remain confined to paper, failing to mitigate the "urban heat island" effect and the dust generated by constant construction.
 / |
| Smog and Red Fort,Delhi indiatoday.in |
 |
| Delhi air pollution news18.com |
Strategies for Mitigation and Control To safeguard these treasures, a multi-pronged approach is essential:
Non-Abrasive Restoration: Experts like Abha Narain Lambah advocate for "gentle" conservation, using water misting and traditional organic poultices (like multani mitti) to draw out impurities without damaging the stone’s patina.
Emission Zoning: Expanding the concept of the TTZ to Delhi’s heritage hubs could create "low-emission zones" around the Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb, restricting heavy vehicles and construction during peak pollution months.
Green Buffers: Establishing dense "micro-forests" around monuments can act as natural filters for particulate matter (PM2.5).
Public Participation: As historians suggest, the survival of heritage depends on citizens adopting sustainable habits, such as carpooling and supporting affordable public transport.
In conclusion, India’s monuments are not just stone structures; they are the anchors of its national identity. Unless aggressive measures are taken to control industrial and vehicular emissions, the country risks losing its past to the smog of its present. Preservation must transcend occasional cleaning; it requires a systemic shift toward environmental accountability
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx27j53m7r2o
https://www.deccanherald.com/features/art-and-culture/a-silent-assault-on-heritage-3856406
