AGRA : Night viewing of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh across the Yamuna will be started.
Adequate security would be made at Mehtab Bagh during the night viewing and other arrangements are being made for starting this facility. The night viewing would be allowed only during the full moon days.
Earlier, Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma had announced in May last that the night viewing would be allowed from Mehtab Bagh within three months time.
He had said that efforts should be made to flourish nightlife so that tourists do not leave the city after viewing the Taj only. Mehtab Bagh is one such place which could emerge as a hub of nightlife.
The Minister also said that he had a discussion with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on developing tourist infrastructure, besides providing safety and security for starting night viewing of the 17th century monument.
In December 1999, the supreme court had banned visitors’ entry into the monument after 1900 hrs 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. (AGENCIES)
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