AGRA: After successful trial run of turnstile gates, the three-hour time restriction for visitors to the Taj Mahal has finally been implemented .

Confirming the move, superintending archeologist, ASI (Agra circle), Vasant Swarankar said, "With the turnstile gates functioning for some time now, the three-hour restriction from entry time to exit is being strictly enforced from Sunday." He said 14 gates - seven each on the east and west gates - for entering the monument, and 10 gates, five each for visitors' exit, have been installed at the Unesco world heritage monument.

Swarankar said the trial run was smooth and on Saturday, when about 50,000 visitors visited the 17th century monument, the system worked without any hassles.

Though ASI had introduced the time slot restriction on April 1 last year, it could not take off due to a tussle between the local administration and some right-wing organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), over "blocking" of the way to the 400-year-old Siddheshwar Mahadev temple near the western gate. However, the issue was recently resolved by the local administration by providing an alternate route to the temple.

Till now, all tickets, including those sold online, have a time specified on them but they were not being checked by anyone.

Swarankar said, "If tourists exceed their time limit of three hours, they will be charged an extra amount equivalent to the ticket, which will have to be paid at the exit gate. Entry time will also be enforced and if tourists don't arrive at the slotted time, they will not be allowed entry and will have to buy a new ticket."

Last year, on December 10, the ASI had introduced a separate ticket of Rs 200 for entering the Taj's main mausoleum.

