Agra, Dec 2 (IANS) Agra's tourism industry has been severely hit by the terror strikes in Mumbai that targetted 10 locations across the city, including two luxury hotels. A large number of foreign tourists have cancelled their trips and people visiting the Taj Mahal have nearly halved.
While members of various travel agencies, hotels, restaurants and guides' associations marched and lit candles here Monday evening in memory of those who died in the attacks in Mumbai, tourism Industry leaders have expressed deep concern over reports of large scale postponement and cancellations of trips by foreigners to India.
The month of December usually attracts the maximum number of foreign visitors to Agra. But this December, there has been a drastic dip in numbers, industry members said. Already, the arrivals have been affected with just around 1,500 foreigners visiting the Taj Mahal Monday as against 2,260 Nov 24.
Budget hotels
have been hit the most as night stays have reduced. 'The fire in Oberoi and Taj in Mumbai has directly affected Agra,' a hotelier said.
Tourism Guild president Rajeev Narain fears there could be more than 3,500 cancellations this month. Five star hotel Jaypee Palace reported close to 450 cancellations.
Narain said that city hotels are tightening security arrangements and installing required gadgets to meet any eventuality in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Mumbai that claimed 183 lives.
'No cost is big enough to save a life and I hope things would get back to normalcy soon,' Narain told IANS.
'The worst is yet to come,' said leading handicrafts exporter Abhinav Jain of Taj Ganj.
'Buyers are not coming. The new element in the Mumbai attacks is the targeting of Israelis who were very fond of visiting India. No tourist would like to risk his life coming to what appears to be developing as a war zone,' Jain said.
Rakesh Chauhan, president of the Hotels and Restaurants Association of Agra, said the government security agencies must step up their security arrangements and send out a strong message that Agra is absolutely safe for tourists.
'Tourism being a sensitive industry, the level of public awareness and also involvement in the joint fight against terrorism and constant vigil must be stepped up at all levels,' he said.
Meanwhile, big hotels in the city, on the advice of the police, have started verifying records relating to staff recruitments, entry into hotels has been restricted and all vehicles are being thoroughly checked, including vendors supplying vegetables and other items.
There is also increased police deployment around the Taj Mahal.

security beefed at the taj mahal

COMMANDOS AT THE TAJ MAHAL
HIGH ALERT IN THE CITY


AGRA:

FOLLOWING terrorist attacks in Mumbai, Agra police today tightened its security cover around the Taj Mahal and other historical monuments. A high alert has been declared and vehicles are being checked at important crossings of the city.
Black cat commandos have been positioned at the Taj Mahal. Senior officials including the district magistrate and IG Zone, DIG, Senior superintendent of police Prem Prakash reviewed security arrangements at the five star hotels and railway stations.
Barriers and barricading at the Taj Mahal have been strengthened. The city has been divided into five sectors and magistrates put in charge of each sector to keep a constant vigil on the security mechanism.
Meanwhile, tourism industry leaders have expressed deep concern fearing cancellations and decline in tourist traffic. Rakesh Chauhan, president of the Agra Hotels and Restaurants Association while condemning terrorist attacks, urged central government to take stern measures to send out a clear message worldwide that India was safe for tourists.

is the real taj mahal safe?

TAJ SECURITY BEEFED UP
AFTER DGP'S VISIT

AGRA:
Is the real Taj Mahal safe? This question is being hotly debated in Agra. Given the specifics of the situation and total lack of coordination among various security agencies the question has assumed some importance. For the moment the security around the Taj Mahal has been tightened, but for how long people want to know.
On Sunday one could see additional deployment and some amount of extra vigil in the wake of Saturday's visit by UP's DGP Vikram Singh and other senior officials.
The fear in police circles is "because of the high number of foreign visitors the Taj Mahal could become an easy target of terrorists who would get maximum propaganda mileage," said an intelligence source.
For the past two days security checks and reviews have engaged senior police and administrative officials. Railway stations and bus stands have additional security bandobust. The bigger hotels have been told by the administration to make additional security arrangements and keep a 24 hour vigil on movement of visitors.
DGP Vikram Singh and Principal secretary home Kunwar Fateh Singh reviewed security arrangement at Mathura's Sri Krishna Janam Bhoomi on Saturday. Later in the evening they suggested shifting of the cloak room from the Taj Mahal's main gate. They were particularly keen to know how the security apparatus at the Taj Mahal would respond if there was a sudden terrorist attack, what were the arrangements to protect the tourists and how would the district magistrate and other officials reach the Taj Mahal. It was suggested that the rear of the Taj Mahal towards river Yamuna being totally exposed, should be taken under security cover and motor boats provided. Provision for checking of security staff in each shift should be made.

In the wake of tragic incidents in Mumbai the security arrangements have been strengthened for the moment, but fears being expressed by the tourism industry relate to the general laxity and an attitude of callousness displayed by the forces.
We should have better coordination among different agencies, there should be uninterrupted power supply and regular checking of vehicles moving around the monument. Also a permanent DIG level official exclusively for the Taj Mahal should be posted with powers to take prompt decisions," suggested president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society Surendra Sharma. "Ad hocism and fire brigade approach to problems will not help," he added.

Of particular concern has been the movement of Bangladeshis in Agra. A large number of Pakistanis have been over staying in Agra. The local intelligence unit (LIU) got active on Saturday and started looking up hotels and mohallas within the city for the "lost foreigners" and others whose Visas had expired.

"To be honest it is not so much the efficient or good work by the security agencies that have saved this city so far, but the will of the providence and the alertness of the local citizens. The city is porous and open from all sides and the cops on check posts are easy prey to corrupt practices. Three state borders touch Agra making it easy for anti social elements to cross over to the other sides. A suggestion going round is to hand over the security of the Taj Mahal and other monuments to the army," says social activist Netra Pal Singh.