Indian News

While Agra gears up for its swelling domestic and international tourist traffic with a series of infrastructure projects including a high-speed train, new flyovers, a new road leading directly to the Taj Mahal and a new terminal at the airport, the highlight of the revamp plan is the proposed unrestricted view of the Mughal monument. Night viewing of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh across the Yamuna will be started within three months, announced Union tourism and culture minister Mahesh Sharma who inspected the Mughal garden on Thursday night. In December 1999, the Supreme Court had banned visitors' entry into the monument after 7 pm for a view of the Taj by moonlight — to ensure the monument's security.

However, following repeated demands from tourism industry players, the apex court in November 2004 made some amends in its earlier order. From then on, only 400 tourists in groups of 50 are allowed to view the Taj Mahal at night, but for only five nights in a month, and that too, from a distance of over 200m. A permission to allow night viewing of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh, Shah Jahan's favourite spot for watching Taj at full moon nights, has long been demanded by several tourism associations and citizen groups.

Tourists should stay for a day or two in Agra and that will only happen when there are other avenues. Besides, this 22-hectare Taj Heritage Corridor will be another centre for cultural activities.