ASI makes a 'pass' at Araam Bagh joggers

Vijay Upadhyay
Agra. Almost a fortnight after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) banned morning walks in the historic Araam Bagh of Agra, it has finally relented and chosen to allow walkers to enter the garden.

However, the permission granted by the ASI has a fine print stating that morning walkers will have to wear an authorised "name tag" issued by the ASI and prove that they live within five kilometers of the garden before they gain entry into the garden.

Araam Bagh was set up during the Mughal-era by emperor Babar and it also houses Babar's cenotaph. The entire garden premises are conserved and maintained by the ASI. The residents of the Trans-Yamuna area of Agra had been using the Araam Bagh for morning walks for decades but on January 13 this year, ASI unexpectedly banned the entry of "joggers" and morning walkers into the garden.

It also imposed a fine of Rs 5 on the tourists and joggers alike, blaming them for defacing the monument and the garden. The story was carried by The Pioneer on January 18 after hundreds of senior citizens raised objections over closure of the garden with the ASI, and also registered their protest with Agra District Magistrate Sanjay Prasad. Mr Prasad had assured that he would seek a clarification from the ASI in this regard.

Taking into consideration the senior citizens' demand and the media outrage, the ASI finally decided to allow morning walkers limited access to the garden's walkway, but only after they have fulfilled certain formalities.

Speaking to The Pioneer, Superintending Archaeologist ASI Agra, D Dayalan said that ASI had no aversion to morning walkers but it did have a responsibility towards protecting its monuments and the entry of morning walkers had been restricted to the garden after few irresponsible people had caused damage to the monument. Now, he said, it has been decided that the garden will be open for morning walkers but they will have to wear a "name-tag" issued by the ASI throughout their stay in the garden.

For the card, joggers will have to produce documents certifying that they live within a five-km radius of the garden. According to Mr Dayalan, these "passes" shall be issued only to regular "walkers" whose identity will be determined by ASI officials. The card will bear an ASI mark and will to be renewed periodically.

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