(a) The number of disabled foreign and domestic tourists visited Taj Mahal this year;
(b) Whether the Government propose to make Taj Mahal accessible to persons with disabilities including wheel chair users;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government propose to have trained guides to communicate with hearing impaired persons; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor ?
MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE (SHRI ANANTHKUMAR)
(a), (b) and (c) : 25 Indian tourists used wheel chair during the year 2000 to visit Taj Mahal and no foreign tourist requested for availing this facility at Taj Mahal from Archeological Survey of India. Sometimes, it has been observed that the foreign tourists bring their own wheel chair with them and use the same. The wheel chairs are allowed up to the Chameli Floor of Taj. The disabled tourists are taken up to main tomb with the help of attendants.
(d): No guide to communicate with hearing impaired persons is available with Archaeological Survey of India.
(e): Due to insignificant demand.