Modi government launches pre-loaded Sim card for tourists

Ministry of Tourism and Culture on Wednesday launched pre-loaded Sim Card to foreign tourists arriving in India on e-Visa.

This initiative will facilitate the foreign tourists in communicating with their acquaintances immediately after their arrival in India.

Minister for tourism and culture Mahesh Sharma has launched this initiative in Delhi.

Launching the much-awaited service, Sharma said the talk time to the tune of Rs. 50 will be available on the BSNL Sim card which will also have 50 MB data.

Sharma said that the initiative will help the tourists to immediately communicate with their relatives at home, hotels, tour operators and so on. Mahesh Sharma also said the facility will provide ease to the tourists who have to spend about two hours to get their Sim cards activated after they land in India.

This 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.

The facility will be initially available in the Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3 Terminal), New Delhi and later cover remaining 15 international airports, where e-Visa facility is currently available.

To avail pre-loaded Sim Card, BSNL will collect e-Visa copy and the first page of passport from foreign tourists on arrival at the airport.

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 to enable them to stay in touch with their near and dear ones and also help them to contact with the 24x7 Multi lingual toll free helpline of Ministry of Tourism for any assistance and guidance during times of distress or medical emergency.