National

Visa-on-arrival scheme put on hold for security reasons

By Gargi Parsai

New Delhi April 18. The Union Tourism Ministry's proposal to grant visa-on-arrival to foreign tourists from select countries has been put on hold for security reasons.

``The decision has been kept in abeyance for an opportune time,'' the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Jagmohan, said here today. The proposal has not been given ``security clearance''.

He said that gains from the recently concluded Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) were `` invisible'' but the conference would have a multiplier effect.

Already, the Government has decided to promote joint tourism circuits on religion and culture with countries of the region including Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.

Mr. Jagmohan said that PATA members saw the product (India) and ``if the product is good, your reputation will travel''. The conference helped create a positive image of India. About 200 delegates had stayed back to travel through the country on their own.

The Minister said after the development of Ajanta-Ellora, the Government would concentrate on Mahabalipuram, Jaisalmer, Kurukshetra and Uttaranchal. This involved clearing encroachments and building well-equipped reception centres.

An initial amount of Rs. 10 crores to 12 crores had been set aside for Mahabalipuram and about Rs. 3.5 crores for Kurukshetra.

In Delhi, the Ministry was re-doing the wall opposite Rajghat up to the Nigambodhy ghat. The area would be landscaped and illuminated. The wall on the Daryaganj side — which is not a protected wall — was also being strengthened with corticised stone and cleared of debris.

``Only the wall on the Kashmiri Gate side and at the Inter-State Bus Terminus were protected under heritage sites,'' he added.

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