Ticket limit to the Taj

22 Aug 2014  2035 | World Travel News

DELHIThe Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will cap the number of tourists allowed to entry the Taj Mahal daily to reduce damage to the 17th century monument, according to a Times of India report.
Online ticketing starts this year for India’s iconic landmark and that will allow officials to cap sales based on sustainable capacity estimates.
ASI is assessing the daily tourist traffic at the Taj and calculate peak hours. Once completed the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute will gauge the load-bearing capacity of the monument.
During the peak season as many as 60,000 to 70,000 tourists pass through the gates daily and officials fear it will cause damage to foundations.
NEERI will indicate just how many tourists should be allowed to stand on the main mausoleum floor area, the central tank and other spots in the complex.
From that assessment, it will be much easier to establish the maximum carrying capacity and fix entrance fees and restrictions accordingly.
Carrying capacity largely ignored by a profit-driven tourism industry, but it will become a much bigger issue at historical monuments, national parks and even beach resorts.
ASI plans to release a fixed number of tickets daily. The online system will shunt visitors to the next day if sales reach the ceiling.
E-ticketing at the monument should be up and running by March 2015, after it has been tested on a trial basis beginning in December.
Although footfall of over 80,000 tourists had been recorded a few times inside the monument in the past, paid tickets have recently reached 45,000 to 50,000 a day.

sourced:ttrweekly.com

Recommended Cambodia Tours

Cambodia Day Tours

Cambodia Day Tours

Angkor Temple Tours

Angkor Temple Tours

Cambodia Classic Tours

Cambodia Classic Tours

Promotion Tours

Promotion Tours

Adventure Tours

Adventure Tours

Cycling Tours

Cycling Tours