Taj Mahal cuts visitor numbers as tourism takes heavy toll

INDIA is to restrict the number of daily visitors to the Taj Mahal in an attempt to preserve the 17th-century monument, its biggest tourist attraction.

Millions of mostly Indian tourists visit the Taj Mahal every year and their numbers are increasing as domestic travel becomes easier.

Experts say the vast crowds increase wear and tear on the white marble tomb, which already must undergo regular cleaning to stop it turning yellow from polluted air, and could put pressure on its foundations.

In future, only 40,000 local tourists will be allowed to enter the site per day, authorities said yesterday.

“We have to ensure the safety of the monument and visitors as well. Crowd management was emerging as a big challenge for us,” an official with the Archeological Survey of India.

The restrictions will not apply to foreigners, who pay 1,000 rupees (£11.67) to enter.

Indian visitors normally pay just 40 rupees (47p), but will be able to buy the more expensive ticket if they want to get around the limit.

The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan, Mughal emperor, as a tomb for Mumtaz Mahal, his beloved wife, who died giving birth in 1631.

Anyone wanting to see the main crypt, which houses the couple’s spectacular marble graves inlaid with semiprecious stones, will also have to pay for the pricier ticket.

The decision to restrict visitors comes after five visitors were injured in the crush on the last day of the year.