Pre-loaded Sim Card for tourists arriving in India on E-visa

15 February, New Delhi

Tourists arriving in India on E-visa can now avail a pre-loaded Sim card at the airport.

Launching the initiative of the Tourism Ministry, Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture, said the unique initiative will facilitate the foreign tourists in communicating with their acquaintances, immediately after their arrival in India.

To avail the pre-loaded Sim Card, BSNL will collect e-Visa copy and the first page of passport from foreign tourists on 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, enabling them to stay in touch with their near and dear ones and also help them to contact with the 24×7 Multi lingual toll free helpline of Ministry of Tourism for any assistance and guidance during times of distress / medical emergency. Earlier, the Tourism Ministry had also launched a 24 x 7 Tourist Helpline 1800111363 in 12 foreign languages so that the foreign tourists can get the required information in their own language.

He presented the first kit containing Sim to a representative of the travel and tourism sector. Tourism Secretary Vinod Zutshi, Communications Secretary J.S. Deepak, and senior officers were present. The 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 available at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3 Terminal), New Delhi and later cover the remaining 15 international airports, where e-Visa facility is currently available, an official statement here said.