Chopper flies too close to Taj , ASI complains

Agra : A helicopter flew dangerously close to the Taj Mahal and made many rounds of this 17th century world heritage monument yesterday, causing alarm among conservationists. The Archaeological Survey of India has filed a formal complaint with the police, an official said.

One offcial was quoted as saying there was some some lack of coordination and communication. “The film unit given permission by us had the permision but information could not reach the concerned agencies in time. This is being investigated.”

But the ASI head in Agra Indudhar Dwivedi , says the film unit had not taken permssion to fly over the Taj.

Conservationists are alarmed. “At this rate any intruder can infiltrate the high security area. Already the Taj is under threat from terrorists’ groups,” says Shravan Kumar Singh, heritage activist.

CISF sources said it was a grave breach of security ring. At one point the CISF personnel had taken a position and would have fired but luckily timely information from the district authorities saved the situation, according to CISF sources.

The Agra police officials say they have no record to show the area is under no-flying zone.

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