The Taj Mahal is about to introduce time restrictions for tourist visits

You will soon have a limited amount of time to visit India’s most famous landmark
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Over 50,000 people visit India’s Taj Mahal each day. That's over eight million people each year.

The impact this is having on, arguably, the most famous mausoleum on the planet is devastating and dense smog created by human activity has begun to discolour the marble and turn the cream façade yellow.

To combat the number of visitors to the Indian landmark, the Taj Mahal will soon impose a three-hour limit on tourist visits to combat problems with overcrowding.

Foreign tourists currently pay 1,000 rupees (£10.95) to enter while citizens from SAARC and BIMSEC countries (which includes Bhutan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka) pay 530 rupees (£5.80).

Indian citizens pay just 40 rupees (44p) to visit the palace – the low price point attracting visitors in their millions.

The new guidelines state that if visitors stay beyond their allotted three hours then they will have to purchase a new ticket.

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The initiative plans to help prevent overcrowding, reduce congestion and stop tourists over staying.

While the three-hour limit will prevent congestion, it will also help to preserve the stunning structure.

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