Qutub Minar, Red Fort may be opened till 9 pm

Major heritage sites in the city, including Qutub Minar, Humayun Tomb and Red Fort, could be opened for visitors till late in the evening, if a proposal of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is accepted.

Major heritage sites in the city, including Qutub Minar, Humayun Tomb and Red Fort, could be opened for visitors till late in the evening, if a proposal of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is accepted.

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The ASI has prepared a detailed proposal for allowing visitors to selected heritage sites till 9 pm. At present, all the ASI protected monuments remain opened till the sunset.

"There is a proposal to keep open selected monuments till 9 pm. The government will take a final decision on it," a senior ASI official said.

The monuments such as Qutub Minar, Humayun Tomb, Red Fort and Safdarjung Tomb have been illuminated to help visitors see the sites in the evening. Besides, over 40 monument sites are set to get face-lift with facilities like illumination, landscaping and improvement of visitors' circulation area.

The ASI's proposal assume significance in view of the Commonwealth Games to be held in the city in October 2010 when a large number of foreign visitors are expected to come here.

However, the ASI has emphasised on improvement of security arrangements at the sites before opening them till late in the evening.