New scheme announced for tourist vehicle operators; Details here

New Delhi: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced a new scheme, under which any tourist vehicle operator may apply for an “All India Tourist Authorization/Permit” through online mode. It 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 published vide GSR 166( E) dated 10 March 2021. The new rules will be applicable from 01 April 2021. All existing permits shall continue to be in force during their validity.

The scheme allows flexibility in the form of authorization/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 fifteen years. The growth has been contributed by both domestic and international tourists, and there is a trend of high expectation and consumer experience.