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Foreigners' fascination with Taj wanes

Last Updated 20 November 2014, 20:38 IST

The Taj Mahal, the monument of love, that attracts tourists from all over the count­ry and abroad, has been losing sheen at least among foreigners.

According to official figures, there has been a decline in the number of foreign tourists flocking to Agra to witn­e­ss the beauty of the Taj Mah­al.

On the decline

Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister Om Prakash Singh said the number of foreign visitors declined by over 46,000 in 2013 compared with those who visited the monument the previous year.

While replying to a question in the state Assembly on Wednesday, Singh said the number of foreign tourists, who visited Agra and stayed there in 2012 was a little over 4.50 lakh. This number came down to about 4.04 lakh in 2013.

Many visitors did not stay inAgra. They returned after spending a few hours in the town.

Hotel owners and others associated with the tourism industry in Agra have been complaining about the poor infrastructure, which has badly hit the inflow of tourists in the city. Tourism is not only the biggest revenue source in Agra but  also provides employment to thousands of people.

“Successive governments have done absolutely nothing to develop the city as a centre of tourism. We have written to officials many times. They never bothered about it,” says Surendra Sharma, founder president of Hotel and Restaurants’ Association.

“Agra is a three-day destination, but the tourists from the foreign countries visit Agra in the morning and leave in the afternoon either for Delhi or Jaipur,” Sharma told Deccan Herald. “Street lights do not work here. Who wants to come out after sunset. Markets are closed at 8pm. The monuments are not open to public after 5:30 pm,” he said.

Occupancy in the 400-odd hotels in Agra has reduced significantly.

Meanwhile, senior minister Azam Khan said the Taj Mahal should be handed over to the Sunni Central Waqf Board and the income received as entry fees from the monument of love be used for the welfare of Muslims.

Khan, in a letter to the Centre, said the state Waqf Board should be entrusted with managing the historical monument. The minister had raised the issue at a recent meeting of Waqf Board members.

Sunni clerics have supported Khan's demand. Senior Muslim cleric and member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangimahali said the Muslims be allowed to prayer inside the Taj five times a day.

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(Published 20 November 2014, 20:38 IST)

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