NEW DELHI: Foreigners visiting India with e-tourist visa are likely to be given mobile SIM cards soon with the Home Ministry giving its in-principle approval to the proposal for promotion of tourism.
The Tourism Ministry’s proposal was discussed by the Foreigners Division of the Home Ministry threadbare and given its nod as part of the larger goal of attracting more tourists to India.
“Even though there are issues of security, communication is important for any visitor. Since we are giving e-tourist visa to citizens of a limited number of countries and that too after proper verification, we are giving our approval to the proposal of giving SIM cards to tourists,” a senior Home Ministry official said.
As part of the proposal, the Tourism Ministry is planning to gift a kit comprising a SIM card, maps, booklets and CD with information about various tourist destinations, guidelines relating to dos and don’t, details regarding whom to contact in case of any emergency, among other things.
The e-tourist visa is currently given to citizens of 113 countries and Government plans to raise it to 150 countries by March 31, 2016. Tourists can arrive in 16 designated airports across the country. (AGENCIES)
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