Wah Taj! Revenue booms, conservation lags

The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, has become a significant revenue generator for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), raking in ₹91 crore over the past three years.

- Biswajeet Banerjee

However, only ₹9.41 crore—a fraction of the revenue—has been allocated for its conservation, sparking criticism over the ASI's priorities.

Data obtained through the Right to Information Act reveals that from 2020-2021 to 2023-2024, the UNESCO World Heritage site outperformed all other Indian heritage sites in revenue collection. Yet, this financial success contrasts starkly with declining conservation efforts. Pre-pandemic, ₹12 crore was spent annually on the Taj Mahal's upkeep. Post-pandemic, despite a surge in tourist numbers, this expenditure has plummeted to less than 10% of earnings.