Woe Taj

Lata Mangeshkar, A.R. Rehman, Asha Bhosle and Jagjit Singh are just some of the musicians who could be performing in Agra to mark 350 years ...

Lata Mangeshkar, A.R. Rehman, Asha Bhosle and Jagjit Singh are just some of the musicians who could be performing in Agra to mark 350 years of the Taj Mahal. But like everything else about the Taj celebrations, these are all proposals. Nine days before the six-month long celebrations kick off, no one is certain about the scale and shape of things to come.

The venues and programmes are yet to be finalised and the budget yet to be drawn up. The district administration, which has drawn up security and traffic plans, is still waiting to hear from the Centre and most of the Uttar Pradesh government’s grand plans are pending clearance from the Supreme Court.

There are no outward signs in Agra that a grand six-month-long celebration is going to be kicked off on September 27. Roads leading to the Taj are potholed and the city is in a mess with chaotic traffic and garbage on the roads. In keeping with the celebrations, many proposals have been forwarded by the local administration for improving facilities for tourists.

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There is a plan to introduce CNG in Agra city, a steam engine to ferry tourists from Agra Cantonment to Fatehpur Sikri, a cleanliness drive, reverse osmosis plants at all monuments, mechanised cleaning and tourist police. But, again, these are also in different stages of discussions. ‘‘Things will be clear in a day or two. We are waiting for the clearances,’’ said Ashok Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Agra.

The only programme that has been finalised is the inauguration ceremony on September 27 at the Diwan-i-Aam in Agra Fort. The local administration, ASI officials and UP tourism officials have been inspecting the Fort. All the district magistrate knows is that singer Hariharan will be performing, that the programme will be held from 6.30 pm to 8 pm and 500 people can be accommodated. The rest of the moon-lit evening is still a mystery.

DM Niteshwar Kumar said, ‘‘We have drawn up a security and traffic plan.’’ The other venues chosen by the UP government are Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra but the programmes are yet to be finalised, said sources. ASI has given the clearance for the programmes, according to sources. The programmes are being planned at Mehtab Bagh with the backdrop of the Taj but that is still pending clearance from the Supreme Court. Another plan to throw open the Taj at night is also pending SC clearance.

Other programmes include a Sufi night, a theatre festival with SPIC-MACAY, a mushaira, classical music and dance programmes, all in the pipeline. ‘‘This is just a soft launch. This is to make the people aware. The programmes are being planned on a full moon night. So the second programme is on October 28, the next full moon night after September 27. We have plenty of time,’’ UP Tourism Joint Director D.K. Burman said.