New Scheme For Seamless Movement Of Tourist Passenger Vehicles

Aiming at promoting tourism in a big way, the Road Transport and Highways Ministry has announced a new scheme, under which any tourist vehicle operator may apply for an “All India Tourist Authorization/Permit” through online mode.

New rules applicable from April 1 this year is expected to increase the footfalls at tourist sites and boost government revenues.

According to the Ministry, the permit will be issued, after relevant documents are submitted and fees deposited, within 30 days of submission of such applications.

The new set of rules, to be known as “All India Tourist Vehicles Authorization and Permit Rules 2021” has been notified on March 10, 2021.

However, though the new rules will be operational from April, all existing permits shall continue to be in force during their validity.

The new rules for permits are expected to go a long way in promoting tourism across the States in our country, while simultaneously, growing the revenue of state governments, the Ministry maintained.

The step was discussed in the 39th and 40th Transport Development Council Meetings and was appreciated and concurred to by participants from the states.

The rules come even as the Ministry is in the pursuit of providing seamless movement to tourist passenger vehicles, after the success of goods carriage vehicles under National Permit Regime.

Moreover, the scheme allows flexibility in the form of authorisation/permit being granted, for a period of three months or its multiples thereof, not exceeding three years at a time.

This provision has been incorporated keeping in mind those areas of our country where there is a limited season of tourism and also for those operators who have limited financial capacity.

It will also consolidate a central database and fees of all such authorization/permits, which might give a sense of tourist movements, scope for improvement, promotion of tourism.

The step comes in the context of travel and tourism industry in our country increasing manifold in last 15 years. The growth has been contributed by both domestic and international tourists, and there is a trend of high expectation and consumer experience.

Welcoming the government's move, industry expert Subhash Goyal said it was a long pending demand of the tourism sector.

Highlighting the prevailing situation, Goyal pointed out that that if one can travel from Amsterdam to Madrid, then why not within India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari by road.

Similarly, when one can travel by train, then why not by bus, he asked and added that the new rule will definitely boost road tourism.