From Monday, foreign tourists to India arriving on the Government’s electronic Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme may start availing free SIM card facility on their entry into India.
Sources said that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will launch the initiative of Union Ministry of Tourism in association with BSNl by distributing free pre-loaded SIM Cards to foreign tourists arriving in India on e-Visa.
The step aims at attracting more foreign tourists to make India a global holiday destination as well as address security concerns, said the sources.
The proposal was mooted by the Tourism Ministry last year to give a push to the sector in the country by sending a message that international tourists can plan a hassle-free visit to India. After a detailed inter-ministerial committee comprising officials from Tourism, Home, Telecom and Finance Ministries, the idea was given go ahead, said the sources.
Only BSNl SIM cards would be provided since it’s a State-owned telecom company.
It is proposed that the SIM cards will be part of the tourist kit that will also include maps, tourism booklets and information about tourist destinations, guidelines relating to dos and don’ts, details regarding whom to contact in case of any emergency. The SIM cards will be valid for 30 days only.
The eTV facility by the Electronic Travel Authorisation enables the prospective visitor to apply for an Indian visa from his or her home country online without visiting the Indian mission and also pay the visa fee online.