ASI's special vehicle, entrance into Taj for differently abled visitors

Vijay Upadhyay
Agra. In its near 400 years of existence, it is probably the first time, when physically challenged will be able to enjoy the full glory of Taj Mahal up close.

Paying heed to a long standing demand to create a facility for physically challenged tourists visiting Taj Mahal, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has decided to allow these tourists to ride inside the monument in a "battery-operated auto-rickshaw", which will have a special entrance that lead directly to the monument.

Talking to this correspondent regarding this innovative decision, D Dayalan, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI said the ASI had noted that a large number of physically challenged tourists arriving at the Taj Mahal were forced to return as there was no provision for a wheel-chair ramp at the entrance of the monument that is at least 6 feet high.

Besides, he said, even inside the monument, the track followed by other tourists is not conducive for physically challenged tourists on wheelchairs and taking this fact into consideration, this is the first time when a completely new entrance will be created for the Taj Mahal.

According to Dayalan, the gate will not be open for ordinary tourists and will only be used by physically challenged visitors upon prior information. The tourists will be supplied with a wheel-chair or a battery auto-rickshaw as per his requirement.

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