CCTV malfunction reports: ASI says area not in Taj premises

The Archaeological Survey of India has said the eight CCTV cameras, reports of whose malfunctioning had appeared in a section of local media, are installed in the 'Yellow Zone' which is outside the Taj Mahal premises and whose security is looked after by the local police.

ASI Conservation Assistant Syed Munazzar Ali did not comment on the authenticity of the reports, and maintained that the 'Yellow Zone' does not fall in the jurisdiction of CISF, which looks after security of the main premises.

"Cameras referred to (in media reports) are in the 'Yellow Zone', that stretches 500 metres from the Taj boundary on all sides. Security in this zone is looked after by local police. It is the main 'Red Zone', that is the main Taj premises, which is looked after by the ASI and CISF," Ali said.

Similarly, security on the river side of the Taj -- the stretch from the north end of the monument towards Mehtab Bagh -- is also maintained by the local police as this area also falls within the 'Yellow Zone', he said.

Meanwhile, Ali said three more CCTV cameras will be installed along the southern wall of Taj, that seals off the Taj Ganj locality from the Taj quadrangle.

They will be in addition to the already existing 18 CCTV cameras, he said.

In the wake of the recent Bodh Gaya blasts, ADGP (Security) O P Singh, after reviewing the security arrangements on Thursday, had called for more vigil around the historic monument.