Taking lessons from a stampede on December 29, the state and central government are mulling over restricting number of tourists to a maximum of 40,000 visitors in a day at the world-famous Taj Mahal in Agra.
Taking lessons from a stampede on December 29, the state and central government are mulling over restricting number of tourists to a maximum of 40,000 visitors in a day at the world-famous Taj Mahal in Agra.
A proposal to this effect was discussed at a high-level meeting of State and Central Culture department officials, presided over by the Union Culture Minister Dr Mahesh Sharma. Others who were present in the meeting included ASI Director Usha Sharma, CISF Commandant Brij Bushan, IG Agra Zone Raja Srivastava, Agra District Magistrate Gaurav Dayal, Agra Development Authority Vice-Chairman Anil Dhingra and Deputy Director Tourism Dinesh Kumar.
Though a final decision is yet to be taken by the Ministry of Culture, it was unanimously decided at the meeting to restrict the number of visitors at Taj Mahal in a day to a maximum of 40,000 only through online and offline bookings for the safety and security of the tourists as well as the monument.
It was also decided that tourists will be allowed to visit Taj Mahal in two shifts and would remain there only for three hours. In both time slots, only 20,000 visitors will be allowed. The entry tickets may also be hiked. While entry for children up to 15 years would be free, the lowest ticket for Rs 40 may be hiked to Rs 50 and tourists will have to pay RS 100 for visiting the main tomb.
Anyone who wished to visit Taj Mahal after the tickets for the day for 40,000 visitors are sold out will have to shell out Rs 1000 to visit the monument. The steps are being taken in view of a stampede on December 29 in which five tourists had sustained injuries.
“We are sending a proposal in this regard after taking to all stakeholders to the Ministry of Culture for approval,” said a senior Culture department officer.
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