Tourism dept plans facelift, Agra sees another protest

Tourism dept plans facelift, Agra sees another protest
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

AGRA, JAN 15: Agra will become the world's first ``City of Water Front Monuments'' once the Taj National Park is developed, UP Tourism Secretary Desh Deepak said today.

He said that Taj National Park is a plan to develop the land behindthe monument into a wildlife resort. The project has been prepared by the UP government with the help of the Illinois University, US. Verma said the estimated cost of the project is about Rs 200 crore, which may rise further if the project is delayed.

He said that the banks of Yamuna will be developed and a bridge built between Mehtab Bagh and the Red Fort to enable the tourists tovisit the lesser-known monuments of the city like Itmad-ud-Daullah on foot.Visiting professors of Illinois University Prof Belafort, Prof Telly and Prof Amita Singh were also present.

Meanwhile, the city police and district administration watched helplessly as the activists of Taj Sangharsh Samiti entered Agra Fort forcibly and performed namaz there, despite strict instructions from the Central and state governments against the same. The ASI has lodged an FIR. The activists also included foreign tourists. Raisuddin, Haji Jamiluddin Qureshi, Aslam Qureshi, Dr K.V.S. Kaushal, Ramakant Saraswat and others reached the Agra Fort in the morning and protesting against the Friday closure of the monuments, forcibly entered the Fort and performed namaz in the Akbari Mosque. They could not reach the Moti mosque as its entrance was locked.

BJP leader Nooruddin has condemned the protest, calling it an act of religious fanaticism. He said that some anti-social elements were trying to ruin the image of Agra. He said that the protesters should bear in mind the fact that the ASI's decision is not applicable exclusively to Agra. Other world heritage monuments have also been closed under similar order.

ASI chief Superintendent D.V. Sharma regreted that the police and district administration were not helping his organisation in enforcing the regulation.

After a meeting with Muslim leaders, the administration has decided to ensure that no more protests and demonstrations are held at themonuments and that the case is brought to court for redressal.