Chandigarh gets tourism police

The recent case of molestation of a German girl hastened the introduction of tourism police on September 27 in Chandigarh.

Nearly one million tourists visited Chandigarh in 2007, and tourism officials say this year will see more. More than 600,000 tourists have visited Chandigarh in the first eight months of this year.

A squad of 100 tourist police persons has been deployed at major tourist spots like Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden and City Plaza.

An official said that the tourism police would guide the tourists about law and order problems, security measures, places of medical help, matters relating to passports, visas, residential permits, exchange of currency, and immigration issues.

Also the tourism department, as part of its innovative venture, has introduced city cards, especially for the tourists.

The card, costing Rs 100, will be available at the airport, railway station, bus stand and a tourist information centre in Chandigarh.

It would entitle the card holder to avail himself of various discounts at the city's tourist destinations and at select hotels, restaurants and shops, said an official of the tourism department.