Agra to take final call on Taj reopening

AGRA: Despite the declaration by Union culture minister Prahlad Patel to reopen all the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monuments for the public from July 6, the Agra district administration is yet to take the final call for opening Taj Mahal and other monuments.

District administration officials said the decision would be taken after assessing the status of containment zones and buffer zones near the monuments.

“After the declaration made by the minister to reopen ASI protected monuments from July 6, we have begun preparations for having the gates open for the public on the scheduled date. However, we are analysing the situation of containment and buffer zones and number of Covid-19 patients found from the specific area before making the final decision for the opening of monuments, including Taj Mahal,” said district magistrate of Agra, Prabhu N Singh.

Talking to Hindustan Times on Friday evening, district magistrate Agra asserted that final decision would be taken after assessing the situation in Agra in light of coronavirus cases especially in the areas near to the monuments.

It may be recalled that Union culture minister Prahlad Patel had earlier decided to open places of worship under ASI protection from June 8 and that includes mosque within Taj Mahal where ‘namaz’ is offered every Friday.

However, the district magistrate had decided against not opening the places of worship in the district because of Agra Municipal limits being in the red zone.

At present, Agra presently has 1253 Covid-19 positive cases and 89 deaths.

“Opening of monuments is a welcome step for tourism and for how long these monuments can be kept locked but there is not much enthusiasm over the declaration by union culture minister as there are no trains, no flights and uncertainty prevails over inter-state movement. With Covid-19 situation showing no improvement, tourism — a leisure activity cannot be expected to be revived with such steps,” said Sandeep Arora, the president of Agra Tourism Development Federation.