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Lucknow: The Taj Mahal
may soon be opened up for night viewing, from a safe distance
though. The Uttar Pradesh government is working on a roadmap to
allow night viewing and a host of other measures to "pep up
tourism at Agra", one of India's top tourist destinations.
Chief Secretary Jawwed Usmani has asked officials to work on the
project, which also includes creation of an eight-kilometre
cycling track around the Taj and boating facility on the Yamuna.
Besides asking for "more suggestions on developing areas around
the Taj Mahal", he has also sought a draft project report from the
departments concerned within a month. The projects around the
World Heritage monument would be taken up under the Nature Walk
projects and eco-tourism vision of the state government, an
official told IANS. Under the proposed project, the Taj Safari,
Mumtaaz Eco-park, Camel Safari would be developed.
Efforts were also on to begin the facility of boating in the
Yamuna and allow tourists to view the Taj from the river, which
flows adjacent to the monument to love. The Uttar Pradesh
government, officials said, was serious about developing green
patches and promoting tourism in a big way at Agra.
At a recent meeting with officials, the chief secretary also asked
them to ensure greenery in the area, water conservation in the
ravines, creation of a new nature trail, creation of a new habitat
for birds in the area and to further work on the green forest
areas around the Taj.
It has also been decided that the financial bearing on the said
projects would be borne by the Agra Development Authority (ADA),
the UP Forest Corporation and the union ministries of tourism and
culture and forest and environment. The project report would be
referred first to Aawas Vikaas, Forest department, and after a
threadbare study of the issues, the matter would be taken to the
chief minister for his approval.
The Akhilesh Yadav government has recently approved an ambitious
multi-million infrastructure development project for the
neighbouring towns of Mathura and Vrindavan. The tourism
department, along with the development authorities of these towns,
has been asked to take up infrastructure development on a priority
basis. This, an official said, would include sprucing and
upgradation of the Govardhan Parikrama path, establishment of
33/11 KW sub-stations, double circuit underground cable laying,
establishing 40 new transformers, landscaping, setting up of
kiosks, renovation of ancient water bodies, ponds and broadening
of roads and lighting up the pathways. A project report for the
same has also been asked for.
(Mohit Dubey can be contacted at mohit.d@ians.in)
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