The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) last week announced that it would be reducing the number of domestic visitors allowed to see the Taj Mahal per day.

International tourists would not have to worry about this restriction.

The ASI stated that the number of visiting local people will most likely be reduced from 70,000 to 40,000 per day and individual visits would be limited to three hours per person.

This change will be implemented with a new ticketing system although no date has been set in stone for it.

While Indian locals will be required to pay 40 rupees (46p) for a single ticket, international travellers will be asked to pay 1,000 rupees (£11.63p).

Should an Indian native arrive at the monument when all the 40,000 tickets are gone, he can still enter having bought an international ticket.

However, critics of the scheme have argued it is unreasonable to expect local travellers to pay international prices, particularly as it would cost them three days on the average wage.

The preservation of the landmark has been the primary concern for the ASI, as the once cream coloured walls have turned yellow while the monument is surrounded by rubbish.

While more people are financially able to visit the well-known sights of the world, the monuments are treated with less respect and impiety.

The Taj Mahal is not the only example of the growing overcrowding problem as several countries are experiencing similar overtourism issues and are now coming up with solutions.

Late last year, the Italian government declared that ships weighing over 100,000 tonnes would be banned from sailing through the Grand Canal following concerns their wakes were damaging the city.