Red Fort to open for visitors today

The iconic Red Fort will reopen for visitors from Tuesday, as per officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The 17th century fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been closed to public since December 5.

The Red Fort hosted the 20th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage from December 8 to December 13.

The key meeting of UNESCO was held under heightened security at the Red Fort complex. It took place nearly a month after the November 10 Red Fort blast that killed 15 persons and injured several others.

A delegate entering the historic complex from the Chandni Chowk side had to go through a labyrinthine set of security barricades before heading past the heavily guarded Lahori Gate area to gain admission to the venue of the UNESCO meet that was held in India for the first time.

Over the last week, many foreign and domestic tourists, and locals alike, could be seen taking pictures of the fort or selfies from the Chandni Chowk street side, with the Red Fort being shut for general visitors.