Centre keen on developing Agra as model tourist centre

As Taj Mahal was named one of the seven wonders of the world in an unofficial global poll, the Centre today said it is keen on developing Agra as a model tourist destination.

"We are interested in developing the Agra city. But a lot will depend on the initiative of the Uttar Pradesh government," Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy said.

He said Agra was already among the 63 cities to be developed under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission, under which Centre grants 35 per cent of the funds for developing a city and the rest comes from the state governments.

While the monument would be taken care of by the Union Ministry of Culture, the urban development mininistry would develop the city in coordination with the state government.