Agra Mayor insists on reopening the Taj

Thursday, June 4, 2020

With the spread of Covid-19 in India, the Modi government in India declared a lockdown on March 25th, 2020.

The magnificent Taj Mahal and other Indian monuments had already been closed much before the lockdown was officially declared. Since March, visitors worldwide have not been able to view the glorious Taj Mahal.

Agra Mayor and long-term BJP leader, Naveen Jain made a statement on the central and state governments, asking for the cause why the Taj Mahal, the seven wonders, was still closed when the government has started giving permission for trains and domestic flights to ply.

The Mayor explained that the Taj Mahal should be opened right away for tourists by adhering to social distancing. He also said that since the Taj and other Agra monuments were closed, it has already been 75 days and 4 lakh people associated directly to the tourist industry as guides, hotel/restaurant employees, emporiums and photographers are going through major trouble. “It is imperative that the gates of the Taj Mahal be opened immediately,” he says.

Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber Secretary Vishal Sharma has mentioned that since March 17, the monument has remained closed for tourists whereas the Rajasthan government has permitted entrance in all state government-managed monuments.

He stated that Central government’s Unlock 1 guideline does not mention monuments anywhere. Sharma also explained that every day, these monuments could be opened for a limited number of tourists by maintaining social distancing.

Amir Qureshi of Hindustani Biradari mentioned that Agra’s majority of businesses are connected with tourism sector and the Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal was not only the life and blood of Agra, but it was the jewel of Uttar Pradesh. Since it has been closed for the tourists for quite some time now, the tourism industry of the city has become idle and in spite of the permission to reopen the businesses in the unlocking guidelines issued by the central government, emporiums are preferring to remain closed.

“What is the point of opening the emporium and incurring the daily operational expenses when the tourists will not be coming?” he asked.

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