TAJ, OTHER AGRA MONUMENTS TO REMAIN CLOSED TILL JUNE 15

AGRA : The Taj Mahal and other Archaeological Survey of Indiaprotected monuments will remain closed till June 15, despite relaxation in partial corona curfew here from June 1. To note, the Taj Mahal was closed on April 16 following surge in Covid -19 cases.

“All the centrally protected monuments/sites and museums under Archaeological Survey of India shall continue to remain closed due to present Covid -19 pandemic situation till June 15 or further orders whichever is earlier,” reads the letter issued by Director of Monuments, NK Pathak at Delhi office of Archaeological Survey of India, on Sunday. “The order will be complied with and monuments, including Taj Mahal, will remain closed till June 15,” said Amarnath Gupta, conservation assistant, ASI at Taj Mahal.

The culture ministry had ordered closure of ASI-protected monuments, including the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri on April 16 earlier this year in the wake of Covid surge in the country. The monuments were closed till May 15 but the closure was extended till May 31.