PANAJI
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture, said that this initiative will facilitate foreign tourists in communicating with their acquaintances immediately upon their arrival in the country.
The Ministry of Tourism had also launched a 24x7 tourist helpline -- 1800111363 -- in twelve foreign languages so that foreign visitors can get the required information in their own language.
Sharma presented the first kit containing sim to a representative of the travel and tourism sector. Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, J S Deepak, Secretary, Ministry of Communications and senior officers were also present on the occasion.
This initiative has been launched in association with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), wherein BSNL would distribute pre-loaded SIM cards to foreign tourists arriving in India on e-visa. This facility will be initially provided at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3 Terminal), New Delhi and will later be extended to the remaining 15 international airports where e-visa facility is currently available.
To avail of pre-loaded sim cards, BSNL will collect the e-visa copy and first page of the passport from foreign tourists upon their arrival at the airport.
This facility is only available for tourists arriving in India on e-visa. Sim cards will be pre-loaded with a value of Rs 50 talk time and 50 MB data and will be activated on immediate basis so as to enable them use this facility instantly. This initiative is also aimed at providing connectivity to foreign tourists so as to enable them to stay in touch with their near and dear ones and also assist them to making use of the Ministry of Tourism’s 24x7 multi-lingual toll free helpline for any assistance and guidance in times of distress/medical emergencies, etc.
