Agra DM in disguise ‘harassed’ by touts, parking attendant at Taj

Agra: Agra's district magistrate conducted an undercover inspection of the Taj Mahal on Saturday morning to investigate persistent reports of mismanagement and harassment by touts. Disguised as a regular tourist, DM Aravind Mallappa Bangari reached the mausoleum on foot to observe the conditions firsthand.Bangari, dressed casually in black shorts and sports shoes, arrived at the site on foot. As he entered the area, unauthorised touts immediately approached him, pushing services and goods. While observing the ticket counters, he noted that the online booking window was inexplicably closed, forcing visitors to stand in long queues. Reports of harassment from unauthorised vendors were confirmed during his visit, and he found wheelchair operators overcharging disabled tourists.Bangari continued his inspection in the parking area, where irregularities surfaced as the parking attendant issued a manual parking slip instead of a digital one. When asked about designated parking, the attendant dismissively told him to park anywhere. He noted the absence of sensor-based toilets and discovered complaints about electric vehicle operations, which were either unavailable or mismanaged, adding to the frustrations of visiting tourists.Following his inspection, the DM announced new steps, including installing boom gates, marking golf carts, and adopting an airport-style parking system with verified parking slips. He told TOI, "The majority of tourists shared positive feedback, though some issues need urgent attention. We will ensure time-bound improvements to streamline parking facilities, and golf cart operations will be optimised. Police have been instructed to coordinate with local businesses and authorised guides to address the tout problem."The DM summoned the parking contractor and ordered staff training and mandatory uniforms with identity cards for all personnel engaging with tourists. He added, "It is essential for tourists to have a memorable experience. Regular training will be conducted for staff interacting with visitors."
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