According to Agra ASI chief R K Patel, the images are available on the ASI website as part of the January 2022 newsletter and anyone can view them online.
According to tourism industry sources, these images were published in public domain to combat the spread of misinformation regarding the contents of these rooms throughout the country.
The photographs, which were taken just days after the Allahabad High Court dismissed Dr Rajnish Kumar’s petition for the reopening of these rooms, showed considerable restoration work being done in these locked chambers, including plastering and lime pans. According to ASI sources, the restoration work in these rooms cost Rs 6 lakhs.
Meanwhile, despite the scorching heat, nearly 20,000 tourists visited the Taj Mahal on Saturday. About 13,814 travellers bought their tickets online, while 7,154 bought them from the counter.
