IANS | 10 Dec, 2018
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Monday enforced a new
ticketing system for the Taj Mahal, aimed at reducing increasing human
impact on the fragile 17th century white marble marvel.
Vasant Kumar Swarnkaar, the ASI chief in Agra, said the new ticketing system came into effect from Monday morning.
According
to the ASI, visitors will now have to shell out an extra Rs 200 to
enter the main mausoleum with the graves of the Mughal emperor Shah
Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Domestic tourists were initially paying only Rs 50 only.
Foreign visitors will also need to buy the Rs 200 ticket in addition to the Rs 1,100 entrance fee.
The
National Environmental Engineering Research Institute had originally
suggested two tickets, to help reduce the number of visitors to the main
structure.
The tourism industry has not appreciated the increase, fearing this step could hit arrivals.