Taj Mahal already an established spot, focussing on projects like Kumbh Mela: UP tourism minister

UP tourism minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi sought to clarify after media reports that the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, was missing from the UP tourism booklet.

She termed the controversy over the alleged non-inclusion of Taj Mahal in the Uttar Pradesh government booklet about ongoing and future tourism projects as unnecessary.

‘This conflict is completely unnecessary, and there should be an end put to it,’ Joshi told ANI, and added, ‘The controversy arose probably because the photo (of Taj Mahal) is missing, otherwise Taj Mahal is mentioned in the booklet.’

Joshi emphasized that Taj Mahal remains a significant tourist attraction for UP, and the government has allotted Rs 156 crore for betterment of facilities around it.

Citing that the heritage site is an established tourist spot, Joshi said that the government has focused more on the upcoming tourism projects in the said booklet.

‘Taj Mahal is already an established tourist spot, so we have focused more on the projects we are taking up within the next one year, especially Kumbh Mela,’ said the tourism minister.

Joshi said that the government is focusing efforts towards Ayodhya, Varanasi and Chitrakoot, with the aim to make Ardh Kumbh Mela a major symbol of Uttar Pradesh tourism.

‘In the coming 12 to 24 months, we want to beautify and equip better tourism facilities in Ayodhya, Varanasi and Chitrakoot,’ Joshi said.

‘Our USP is spiritual and religious tourism, that is why our focus for one year is on it, but at the same time it should not mean that we are ignoring other tourism sites,’ the tourism minister further added.

Joshi informed that the tourism department is also working towards eco-tourism, and facilitating tourism in Lucknow, Bithoor, and Bundelkhand.