ASI still lacks its own lab to test pollution impact on monuments

The Times of India , Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Correspondent : Aditya Dev
AGRA: At a time when there is increasing focus on bringing down pollution around the Taj Mahal and other monuments under ASI protection here, the body still does not have its own laboratory to research the impact of pollution on these monuments, and measures to save them. This jeopardizes any plans it makes to protect the monuments, officials said, because the organization is dependent on institutes located elsewhere for data and analysis, which are often delayed.

Sources in ASI's science branch revealed that there is one lab to monitor pollution level, but there is no high-end research lab for such an important place. "The department has several times raised this issue with higher authorities, but so far no positive result has come out," a source added.

ASI usually seeks help from IIT Kanpur, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and other similar institutes for analyzing samples. "This is not the proper way to go about things. These institutes quite often remain busy with their own research, and taking time out for our work is also difficult for them. This often delays our work," the source added.

"Moreover, when we themselves are not involved in such analysis, we cannot blindly reply to their questions. To deal with this situation we often need to get samples analyzed at several places," they added. The nearest ASI research lab is located in Dehradun.

ASI superintending archaeologist (science branch) M K Bhatnagar said, "Air pollution poses a serious threat to Taj Mahal. We are doing several studies here to find out their impact on the monument. The department is trying to set up a lab here with the help of our headquarters."

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/asi-still-lacks-its-own-lab-to-test-pollution-impact-on-monuments/articleshow/56188556.cms
 


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