NEW DELHI: Good news! The world famous Taj Mahal is likely to be thrown open after sunset for all tourists.
Union Tourism and Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said the Taj Mahal will remain open beyond its 10:00 am to 6:00 pm public access time.
"We have been receiving a lot of requests to keep the monument open during the night hours. We are dedicated to make this a reality," Patel said.
The tourism ministry is also planning to illuminate the area around the monument and develop other infrastructure required to deal with night rush. Night viewing of the Taj Mahal is available on five days in a month -- on full moon night and on the two nights preceding and following the full moon. Only 400 tourists -- 8 batches of 50 people -- are allowed on these nights for which Rs. 510 per adult is charged, while a single child ticket costs Rs. 500. Foreign nationals have to pay Rs.750 each.
The tourism ministry is currently engaged in getting clearances for the new plan from various departments. Taj Mahal sees an average of 22,000 visitors a day.