Taj Mahal puts Rs 200 entry fee for mausoleum

New Delhi: In an effort to “preserve” the Taj Mahal, tourists visiting the historic monument will have to shell out extra money from April 1 as the government has decided to introduce Rs 200 charge for seeing the main mausoleum and also raise the entry fee to Rs 50 from Rs 40. As of now, there is no separate fee for entry to the main mausoleum.

Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma told reporters that the changes have been effected to “preserve the Taj Mahal” and for a better crowd management.  “We need to preserve the Taj Mahal next generations. New ‘barcoded’ tickets would cost Rs 50 instead of the Rs 40 and it would be valid for three hours,” said Sharma.