http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/002200408072062.htm
The Hindu,
Saturday, August 7, 2004 : 2035 Hrs
National
Agra, Aug. 7 (PTI): A Central team today visited the Agra Fort and Mehta Bagh, near Taj Mahal, to assess the feasibility of the Uttar Pradesh Government's plan of holding the 350th anniversary celebrations of the monument of love there and decided to recommend to the Supreme Court in favour of the programme.
The team led by Union Cultural Joint Secretary K Jayakumar, and comprising Advisor to the Union Culture Minister besides other Archaeological Survey of India officials made an on-the-spot inspection of the place, official sources told PTI.
The group accompanied by State Tourism Principal Secretary Alok Sinha, would submit a report to the Union Tourism and Cultural Ministries soon, they said, adding the Centre would then urge the Supreme Court regarding the State Government's plan.
The delegation has also agreed to recommend to the apex court to keep the monument open for five nights in each lunar month, they said. The monument was closed for night-viewing in 1984.
The team visited Mehta Bag and Agra Fort, where the Aga Khan Foundation's bi-annual International Architecture Award ceremony is going to take place later this year, the sources said.
The Aga Khan award ceremony is taking place in India for the first time and the State administration is making all efforts to make both the events a grand success, they said.