Tight security at Taj Mahal

Agra, Dec 18 (ANI): Security has been beefed up at Taj Mahal in Agra following the recent terror attacks in Mumbai.

The security of Taj Mahal is the responsibility of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which has recently written a letter to the local Archeological Survey of India (ASI) with a request to shut the mausoleum of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, and his wife Mumtaz.

The tourists, however, feel shocked at the suggestion.

"Its wrong to close this monument for security reasons. It is a mistake as people come a long way to watch this monument because it really is a great thing," said Eric, a tourist from America.

The letter by CISF has disappointed the travel Associations as well in Agra.

"It is unfortunate that the CISF is taking such kind of decisions and making recommendations for closing a certain section of Taj Mahal. They are only required to provide the security as per the need of tourists because there are both domestic as well as foreign tourists inside Taj Mahal when it is open," said Rajiv Saxena, Secretary, Federation of Travel Associations, Agra.

ASI officials say that the letter given to them seeking closure of the portion of the monument is in view of overcrowding and a possible stampede.

"Recently, when Taj Mahal was declared in the Seven Wonders of World, the flow of tourists suddenly increased up to 25000 to 30,000 per day. In order to avoid a stampede in the main mausoleum, CISF has given us this application with a request to shut this portion of the monument," said Devki Nandan Dimri, Superintending Archeologist, ASI. (ANI)