ASI to undertake restoration of Taj’s Shahi Masjid

Agra: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has proposed a Rs 60 lakh project to repair the Shahi Masjid, located on the western side of the Taj Mahal complex, according to details accessed by TOI. Shahi Masjid was built around 1648, as Islamic tradition requires mausoleums to be accompanied by a mosque.ASI senior conservation assistant Kalandar (who goes only by his first name) said the proposal has been submitted under the Annual Conservation Programme. “Once it is approved, an estimate will be prepared and work will begin,” he said.He added that, under the project, the roof will be repaired, damaged stones will be replaced, and pointing work will be carried out on all three domes.The proposal comes months after ASI removed scaffolding from Taj Mahal’s main dome, which had been put up in June last year after heavy rainfall in Sept 2024 led to leakage.