Tour of Rashtrapati Bhavan to cost Rs. 25

The Rashtrapati Bhavan would charge Rs. 25 as registration fee from visitors starting Sep 1 and the fund will be used to maintain and improve services to public, an official statement said Thursday.

The 'E-payment gateway for e-management of visitors' will enable people to make the payment online.

According to the statement, Rs.25 will have to be paid by an individual visitor or those in a group of less than 30 for each visit. A group consisting of more than 30 people will have to shell out Rs. 600 and Rs.25 for every extra person thereafter. Children below the age of 12 years will be exempt.

An on-line booking system for tours of the president house was started January this year. Over 45,000 visitors have had the chance to witness the grandeur of the palace this year.

"The charges are meant to enable Rashtrapati Bhavan to maintain and improve its services to public. The money can also be paid at the reception prior to the tour," said the statement.

Rashtrapati Bhavan is spread over 130 hectares in the heart of the capital city.

The palace is open for tours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes a visit to the forecourt, marble hall, kitchen museum, durbar hall, library, the Mughal garden, circular garden among other attractions.