New civilian terminal at Kheria air force base for Taj Mahal tourists: Mahesh Sharma

Union Tourism and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma who inaugurated a private IVF centre, on 28 August, said a new civilian terminal will soon come up at the Kheria air force base in Agra to provide international facilities to passengers visiting the Taj city.

The Kheria airport is at present under the control of Indian Air Force which allows one of its air strips to be used for civilian flights. After a meeting with the district officials, Sharma said Rs 100 crore has already been sanctioned for upgrading the Kheria Airport and construction of the civilian terminal, for which about 50 acres of land has already been acquired.

The proposed Jewar international airport in adjoining Gautam Buddha Nagar would serve the needs of the national capital region (NCR), while the one in Agra would primarily cater to the tourists visiting the Taj Mahal, he said.

Sharma said funds have also been sanctioned for increasing green cover in the controversial Taj Heritage Corridor and some stretches along Mehtab Bagh, a garden complex situated opposite bank the Taj Mahal.

Sharma also assured tourism industry leaders that firm action would be initiated against cheats (lapkas) and entry of photographers restricted to the Taj Mahal.

--PTI