New Rules For Taj Mahal: Good Or Bad

The Taj Mahal is the magnum opus of Mughal architecture standing since the 17th century. However, in the recent years the monument has seen an exponential upsurge in the number of visiting tourists. Sometimes during peak tourist seasons, the number of tourists crosses 60,000 to 70,000 per day.

Therefore the Archeological Survey Of India has taken a step to restrict this in order to prevent the monument. It has decided to put a cap of 40,000 visitors per day. Also the time for visit has been restricted to three hours per person.

Visitors who spend more than three hours at the Taj Mahal will now be charged an additional fee, as a circular implementing the three-hour limit has come into force. In order to prevent unauthorised entry, turnstile gates have been introduced at the iconic monument. 7" turnstile gates have been installed at both the East and West entry point. 5 gates are for the exit.

For the entry of foreign tourists, there are separate gates. Entry is only through token which is valid for three hours, exceeding which, a visitor is required to recharge it at the counter at the exit gates.

"Taj Mahal also becomes first Indian Monument to Get a Breastfeeding Room."

Earlier, visitors were allowed to stay from morning till evening, i.e from opening time (30 minutes before Sunrise) to closing time (30 minutes before sunset). Tourists are dismayed by the new rules, asserting that it would cost heavily on tourism. Speaking to ANI, a tourist from Hyderabad said, "A person comes here for relaxation and to spend some time. If the sightseeing is limited to three hours and the charges are so much then anyone will think twice before coming here."

Another visitor Seikh Nizam said, "This will discourage tourism. Time slot should be increased". Celina, who had come from America, said the tickets are almost 10 times costlier for foreign tourists as compared to Indians." Foreign tourists are required to pay 10 times as compared to Indians. It would be really nice to stay long here but timings are limited," she opined.

The Supreme Court had in February slammed the Uttar Pradesh government for poor maintenance of the Taj Mahal and asked it to show seriousness in preserving the monument. In July last year, the Uttar Pradesh government had submitted its draft vision document to the court on the restoration of Taj Mahal and assured that it will take several steps for the conservation of the heritage structure.