SC seeks response from ASI on night viewing of Taj Mahal

New Delhi, Aug 22 (PTI) The Supreme Court today soughtresponse from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on aplea filed by an advocate seeking permission for visitors atTaj Mahal to view the marble mausoleum at night upto thecentral tank. A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur issued noticeto ASI and other concerned authorities while seeking theirreply in two weeks. The order came on an application filed by advocate AjayAgrawal, a BJP leader, said that visitors often complain thatthe view of the 17th century monument was not clear by thenaked eyes because of such large distance. He said that visitors should be allowed to go upto theCentral Tank, about 150 metres away from the main monument. In support of his argument, Agrawal referred the reportdated January 4, 2000 of Krishan Mahajan, the then CourtCommissioner in this case, who recommended night viewing ofTaj from Central Tank after going through security and allother aspects. At present, night viewing of Taj Mahal is allowed forfive days during bright moon nights. These are two days beforefull moon night and two days after full moon night. Only 400 tourists in groups of 50 are allowed to view theTaj Mahal at night, for these five nights and that too, fromred sand stone platform which a distance of over 300 metres,making clear moonlight views of the Taj very rare, especiallyin the winters. PTI SJK PKS MNL RKSARC