Taj Mahal Authorities Swing Into Action After Viral Video Shows Tourists Urinating In Garden

Amidst viral videos of tourists urinating at the Taj Mahal, authorities are investigating and enhancing security.

Authorities at the Taj Mahal have launched a probe after videos of tourists urinating in the gardens of the mausoleum went viral on social media. The authorities have also increased security measures at the tourist spot. 

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said that the videos are being probed to determine when were made and who made them viral. Additionally, the authorities have also planned to increase the number of security personnel in the gardens, reported India Today. 

An explanation is being sought from the Taj Mahal in-charge regarding the matter, said Agra ASI chief RK Patel. He also said that security personnel have been asked to increase vigilance in the gardens to prevent such incidents from happening again. 

Guide association condemned such incidents and questioned why none of the departments took cognisance of the issue despite two toilets in the Taj Mahal complex. Deepak Daan, President of the Guide Association called the incident shameful and pointed out that it occurred despite the presence of CISF and ASI personnel at the complex.

"Why did none of these departments consider that, despite two toilets being built in the Taj Mahal complex, tourists are still urinating in the garden," he asked. 

Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber Secretary Vishal Sharma also criticised CISF and ASI staff alleging a lack of alertness. He said that the incident sends a message that the security of the Taj Mahal is not as tight as claimed.

The ASI is also under fire after the main dome of the Taj Mahal witnessed water leakage due to incessant rain for the past three days which inundated a garden on the premises.

The purported video of the submerged garden on the Taj Mahal premises went viral and caught the attention of tourists. However, an official from Agra ASI, said the leakage in the dome was due to seepage and there is no damage to it. 

"Yes, we have witnessed the leakage in the main dome of the Taj Mahal. After that when we checked it was due to seepage and there was no damage to the main dome. We have checked the main dome through a drone camera,"  Rajkumar Patel, Superintending Chief of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Agra Circle told PTI.