For Agra tourism, the year 2021 could be extremely profitable, as the limits placed on the tourist entry in the magnificent Taj Mahal and other centrally conserved monuments in India and the restriction on counter tickets have been lifted up, ultimately.
This decision came as per the demands of the local tourism sector that 5000 tourist limit entering the Taj Mahal was “unrealistic”, keeping in mind the number of tourists pours into this world-class attraction every day.
As per the latest guideline after the virus outbreak, a maximum of 5,000 tourists could enter the Taj on a daily basis. Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber president Prahalad Agarwal informed India Today that the chamber and other organizations of tourism in Agra had been demanding constantly at various forums, and the government had heard the request, finally.
In a revision to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued previously, on Saturday, the Archaeological Survey of India has issued an order in which the tourist limits entering the monuments have been made null and void at the central level. Though, the final decision on the number to be permitted has been left to the discretion of the corresponding superintending archaeologists and district magistrates of Agra.
The ASI sources have explained that in the city, the limit of tourists entering the monument will be revised to 10,000 per day after discussing with the district administration. Prabhu N Singh, Agra district magistrate has explained that he had personally advocated about increasing of the maximum number of tourists, as the number of tourists coming to the Taj Mahal has been increasing every day, and a lot of people often return without seeing the Taj Mahal.
Amir, a Spanish interpreter from Agra, has said that the weekends are the times with the maximum crowd struggling to get tickets to visit the Taj Mahal. Approved Guide Association president Shamshuddin has explained that for Christmas and New Year, the revised limit will be a “gift to the tourists” although the limit up to 10,000 visitors will not be enough during the New Year. The administration should think about raising this limit, at least for the New Year, he said.
