Now, cycle your way to the Taj, ‘dream in marble’

Lucknow: Admirers of the Taj Mahal would soon be able to take a bicycle tour of the monument of love on moonlit nights. As part of plans to promote eco-tourism, the Uttar Pradesh government is working on a Taj nature walk project which entails constructing an eight-km-long cycle track to view the marble structure at night. Other areas that would be developed included Mumtaz eco park and providing facilities like camel safari and boating in the Yamuna River flowing close by. The matter was discussed by Chief Secretary Javed Usmani at a meeting here yesterday, official sources said. At the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed the official to get a report on the project including, landscaping plan, management of water and natural habitat for birds, prepared within a month and taking the consent of forest department officials. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had last month asked officials to prepare a plan for Taj Nature park. The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shaj Jahan in memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal. PTI