In India petrol or diesel vehicles are not allowed within a 500-meter radius of the iconic monument ''Taj Mahal'' . Tourists have to leave their vehicles in the parking facility available at Shilpgram for East Gate and Amrood ka Teela for West Gate. From there they either have to take golf carts or march to the main monument.
So now for the change tourists visting Taj Mahal will soon be travelling in eco-friendly 'Go Green' buses from locations around the city as the Agra Development Authority (ADA) looking to buy the eco-friendly buses which are currently in use inside Parliament premises.
On an average more than 20,000 Indian and foreign tourists visit the monument every day, whereas ADA has only 24 golf carts and 12 battery-powered buses to take and drop them back. According to a senior official, there is requirement for more new battery buses.
Recently Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a retrofitted electric bus, known as a 'Go Green' bus to ferry lawmakers to Parliament. These special buses which are completely made in India will be seen at the Taj as well and ADA is in talks with several companies seeking tender. These lithium-ion powered buses run on the same kind of battery that is used to power satellites. These batteries are made by India Space Research Organization (ISRO) and cost Rs 5 lakh each, one-tenth of the Rs 55 lakh it would cost for an imported version.
"The number of battery-operated buses and golf carts will be increased. At least two special buses will be deputed for servinf tourists at the Taj," said Avadh Narayan, finance controller'',said the Agra Development Authority.