No biometric verification for int'l tourists at 5 seaports

While the Centre is pushing for the use of biometric data in various domains, there is one where it has withdrawn its use. Last month, the home ministry, on the insistence of the tourism ministry, withdrew the process of collecting biometrics data to issue e-visas to tourists at the five seaports around the coastal regions. The tourism ministry's view was that the move will help promote cruise tourism, which is in its infancy now.

Currently, when any passenger or tourist enters the country through any airport, the government collects biometric data to issue any e-visa. Details like fingerprints and photos are usually collected. Since the Centre is in the midst of sprucing up seaports to attract more tourists, the home ministry was given a deadline till October, 2017, to install machines to collect the data.

A tourism industry insider told DNA that the home ministry missed the deadline. At the same time, officials of the tourism ministry, during the 7th meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Committee on Tourism Sector (IMCCTS), contended that the system of using biometrics for issuing e-visa for cruise vessel passengers is "complex and time-consuming". Secretaries of both tourism and home ministries are part of the IMCCTS.

Consequently, the home ministry sent a communique on January 5, relaxing the collection of biometrics data till 2020. Landing permits and Group Landing Permits, in the case of groups of tourists, will now be handed out instead.

The ministry has been promoting cruise tourism since 2016 in over 13 major ports along the country's 7,400-kilometer coastline. Additionally, there are 185 minor and private ports. Of these, only 61 ports function all around the year.

As part of the government's thrust in cruise tourism, ports in Mumbai, Cochin, Goa's Mormugao, New Mangalore, and Chennai have been developed by both the shipping and tourism ministries.

The process of e-visas, started in April 2014, and further liberalised in March, 2017, is currently available for the nationals of 161 countries for entry through 24 airports in addition to the five seaports. Arrivals on e-visas in 2014, 2015 and 2016 were 0.39 lakh, 4.45 lakhs, and 10.80 lakhs respectively.

Govt’s efforts

• The ministry has been promoting cruise tourism since ’16 in over 13 ports 
• As part of the govt’s thrust, ports in Mumbai, Cochin, and Goa’s Mormugao, New have been developed by both shipping & tourism mins