Tourists to shell out more to see Taj Mahal

Agra: Entry charges to the Taj Mahal and other monuments in Agra circle have been hiked by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) with effect from Friday.
ASI officials said the domestic tourists visiting the Taj Mahal will now have to pay Rs40 instead of Rs20 as earlier, while the foreign visitors will need to shell out Rs1,000 per ticket instead of Rs750 to see the monument.
The earlier proposal was to increase the rates to Rs50 for domestic and Rs1,250 for foreign tourists but after stiff protest from tourism industry and travel agents, the Union Culture Ministry finalised Rs40 and Rs1,000 respectively.
The Agra Development Authority will get Rs 500 while the ASI's share is Rs 500 from a Taj Mahal ticket of Rs1,000 for foreigners.
Rates for Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Etmauddaula, Sikandra and other monuments have also been increased in the same ratio.
"At the monuments including the Fatehpur Sikri, old tickets with new rates stamped were being issued," said Ved Gautam, a tourist guide.
Since the Taj Mahal is closed on Friday, there were no tourists at the booking windows.