Agra: The two landmarks of Agra, the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort will soon get connected.
Yes, you heard that right! According to reports, there might soon be a skywalk in Agra that will connect the Taj Mahal to Agra Fort. UP tourism department has started to work on a design of the project that will cost nearly Rs 50 crore.
A private company has been asked to prepare a detailed report. The state-of-the-art facility will be initiated at Shah Jahan garden, next to the Taj, and connect the grand monument with Agra Fort on the other side of the city.
UP tourism officials told a leading daily that the skywalk will have World Bank as a partner.
According to reports, an Ahmedabad-based private company, International Centre for Sustainable Cities, has been given the contract to prepare a detailed project report.
The main purpose of this facility will be to ensure safety for the tourists going to visit either monument.
“This facility will be for those tourists who want to walk down from Agra Fort to Taj Mahal or vice versa. At present, there is no exclusive road for this purpose and walking down is quite not possible,” the officer said.
“The skywalk will be built near Victoria Park at Shah Garden. It will be a round structure 25 feet above the ground connected by escalators and stairs. After climbing to the top, tourists will walk to other side,” he added.
Under the plan, an environment-friendly shaded stone pathway will be constructed. The shade will be provided through plantation of trees whose branches will cover the frame. “The entire project will give a world class feel to tourists,” official said.
Regional tourist officer Dinesh Kumar said the skywalk project and redevelopment of Kachchpura near Mehtab Bagh, is meant to be taken up by current financial year.