Taj Mahal was shrouded in smog, disappointing tourists who had come to witness its golden radiance. Visitors to the monument reported experiencing difficulty breathing, coughing, and a burning sensation in their eyes on Sunday.
Report informs via foreign media that elderly tourists were particularly affected, struggling to walk the over 1 km stretch from the parking area to the Taj Mahal due to a shortage of golf carts for transportation.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Agra surpassed 300 on Saturday, with the Pollution Monitoring Station at Shahjahan Garden near the Taj Mahal recording a high of 238 and Dayalbagh recording a high of 302. By Sunday morning, the AQI at Shahjahan Garden had reached 200.
"Like Delhi, the air quality in Agra is rapidly deteriorating, with a blanket of smog engulfing the city almost throughout the day, Secretary of the Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber Vishal Sharma told India Today.in.
"The AQI has already surpassed 200, which is quite unhealthy and could have serious consequences for tourists suffering from respiratory illnesses," Sharma added.