UP govt wants 'closer' look of Taj

Lucknow, Sep 5 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh government today made yet another fervent appeal to the Supreme Court to review its decision about night viewing of the world famous monument of Taj Mahal.

The distance of 300 metres from where the Taj has to be viewed as per the SC order should be curtailed to 150 metres, UP Tourism Minister Kokab Hamid told reporters here. ''I, as UP Tourism Minsiter, am not at all satisfied with this.'' The distance of 300 metres prescribed by the apex court was just too much and the permission should be granted to view it from the platform meant for photography-about 150 meters from the monument.

''Even on full moon night, the Taj cannot be seen properly and the admirers of its beauty and grandeur should not be deprived of a closer look,'' Mr Hamid asserted.

Admitting in the wake of recent terrorist attacks, the security of Taj was foremost, he said ''this is the only reason, we are keeping cool on the matter.'' It may be recalled that UP government, in the past, has made issue out of it and had even announced to approach the SC in this regard.

The UP Tourism Minister said the state had attracted 13 crore domestic tourists and 13-15 lakh foreign tourists last year -- the highest figure in the country.

Taj Mahal is the single most attarction for tourists and UP would always like more and more people viewing Taj -- in day as well as night.

Mr Hamid said the state government kept on receiving requests for night viewing and would certainly appeal the apex court to review its decision.

UNI SB VS RSC SY VA RN1700