Delhi: Heatwave, rains cause drop in footfall at historic monuments

The most visited and historic monuments in Delhi have seen a decline in visitor footfall this summer compared to the previous year.

Data collected from April to July 2024 indicates a decrease in footfall at key monuments.

During this period, the historic Red Fort attracted 758,118 tourists, the Qutub Minar 756,237, and Humayun’s Tomb 185,254. These figures include both Indian and international visitors.

In contrast, during the same months in 2023, the Red Fort had 770,846 visitors, the Qutub Minar 762,083, and Humayun’s Tomb 206,769.

Overall, a total of 1,699,609 tourists visited these three monuments from April to July 2024, compared to 1,739,698 during the same period in 2023.

According to data from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Delhi office, in April 2023, the Red Fort welcomed 213,682 Indian tourists and 3,640 foreigners. May saw 216,681 Indian and 3,152 foreign visitors. June attracted 208,592 Indian and 3,031 foreign visitors, and July witnessed 119,501 Indian and 2,567 foreign visitors.

For the Qutub Minar, April 2023 saw 200,189 Indian tourists and 12,022 foreigners, May had 213,449 Indian and 6,761 foreign visitors, June saw 174,259 Indian and 5,370 foreign visitors, and July recorded 144,663 Indian and 8,158 foreign visitors.

At Humayun’s Tomb, April 2023 had 59,187 Indian visitors and 5,255 foreigners. May saw 49,781 Indian and 2,687 foreign visitors. June recorded 45,193 Indian and 2,126 foreign visitors, and July witnessed 38,854 Indian and 3,686 foreign visitors.

The ASI attributes the decrease in numbers to this year’s severe heatwave and unexpected rains.

“This year, we experienced torrential rains and a heatwave, which led to a decrease in visitors,” a senior ASI official said.

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“April, May, and June were marked by scorching heat, while July saw torrential rains that affected the flow of visitors to many monuments,” he added.

The official further noted that people generally avoid visiting monuments during extreme weather conditions.

Over the past nearly one and a half months of the monsoon, Delhi has seen nearly 30 rain-related deaths.

The unprecedented heatwave also claimed 238 lives in Delhi this year, including that of 146 people who were brought dead to various hospitals, reports said.

In May, Delhi recorded India’s highest-ever temperature, with the mercury reaching 52.9 degrees Celsius at the city’s Mungeshpur weather station, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Humayun’s Tomb are the most visited monuments in the national capital.

The Red Fort served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors. Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned its construction on May 12, 1639, when he decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. The Red Fort was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 as part of the Red Fort Complex.

Built in the early 13th century in the southern part of Delhi, the red sandstone tower of Qutub Minar is 72.5 m high. Qutub-ud-Din Aibak laid its foundation in AD 1199.

Humayun’s Tomb is the tomb of the Mughal emperor Mirza Nasir al-Din Muhammad, commonly known as Humayun. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun’s first wife and chief consort, Empress Bega Begum, under her patronage in 1558.

From March 2021 to March 2022, Red Fort was visited by 799,304 people, Qutub Minar by 805,940, and Humayun’s Tomb by 237,744. From March 2022 to March 2023, Red Fort saw 1,934,955 visitors, Qutub Minar witnessed 1,378,068, and Humayun’s Tomb recorded 614,990 visits.

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The historic Qutub Minar emerged as the most visited monument in Delhi in the year from April 2023 to March 2024, surpassing the iconic Red Fort.

According to data, a total of 2,450,332 tourists flocked to Qutub Minar, comprising 2,254,030 Indian tourists and 196,302 foreigners.

In comparison, Red Fort received 2,216,214 visitors, including 2,145,253 Indians and 70,961 foreigners.