Govt allows collective landing permits for group tourists

New Delhi, Nov 9 (KNN) In order to boost tourism, the government has allowed collective landing permits for group tourists from several countries at nine airports and eight seaports of the country.

The facility of collective landing permit for group tourists will be available at the airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Thiruvanathapuram and Goa, said an official statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It will also be available in the seaports of Marmagoa (Goa), Kochi, Calicut, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, Nhava Sheva, Chennai and Kolkata. 

However, the facility will not be available for nationals of certain countries.

“No landing permit facility at all shall be granted to a national of Afghanistan, China, Ethiopia, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka and foreign nationals of Pakistani origin even if he/she is transiting through India and has a confirmed onward journey ticket,” it said.

In case such a foreigner lands in India without a visa, he/she shall not be allowed to leave the airport/seaport, and shall be put on the first available flight/ vessel back to the destination they arrived from. 

The Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi has hailed the notification issued by the Home Ministry.  (KNN/SD)