Arunachal govt to simplify permit procedure to boost tourism

"The ILP has so far not been relaxed. However, the effort of the government of Arunachal is that it is going to simplify the procedure and lot of Information Technology (IT) intervention is taking place," Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Secretary Sonam Chombay told reporters here today.

"Within a very short time online ILP facility would be in place. That will solve a lot of problems of the domestic tourists," he added.

The ILP is an official travel document issued to Indian citizens who want to visit "protected/restricted areas or states" like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.

It is obligatory for Indian citizens from outside those States to obtain permit for entering into the protected State.

Chombay said the Arunachal government could mull over issuing ILP-on-arrival as in the case of Mizoram.

He also said that in case of international visitors also efforts are on to simply procedures.

"As far as the foreign tourists are concerned, the state has the Protected Area Permit (PAP) and as a department we have simplified the procedure. Now even two foreign tourists can apply for the PAP and I being the issuing authority made it sure that it is issued on the same day and no inconvenience is caused to the visitors," Chombay said.

Generally, for securing PAP, tourists must travel in groups of at least four people together.

Chombay said that tourism is a priority sector and Arunachal is looking forward to give a big boost to the sector after the International Tourism Mart which begins here today.