Flying to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands now becomes much easier for foreign tourists as the central government has designated Port Blair as the authorised immigration check post for entry into and exit point from India.
This measure has been taken considering the fact that Andaman is the most sought-after tourist destination in India and receives an average of four lakh tourists per year which includes several thousand foreign tourists also.
This significant notification came just more than a month after the killing of an American national by members of a highly protected tribe in one of the islands of the Union territory.
Andaman made headlines when John Allen Chau, 27, the foreign-national killed by members of the reclusive and endangered Sentinelese tribe that came to light in November.
A current home ministry notification stated that”In pursuance of sub-rule (b) of rule 3 of the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950, the central government hereby designates Port Blair airport of Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands as an authorised immigration check post for entry into/exit from India with valid travel documents for all classes of passengers.”
As per the available home ministry data above 16 lakh tourists visited Andaman and Nicobar Islands between 2015 and October this year to take pleasure of the natural beauty, beaches, flora and fauna and historically-significant landmarks in around 38 inhabited islands out of the 572 islets.
The archipelago has received 11,818 foreigner tourists out of total 4,02,393 tourists visited till October, 2018 while received 4,87,229 tourists, including 15,310 foreigners in 2017.
Amid thunderous applause from the LOCALS, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced renaming of three islands of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago as a tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
The Ross Island got its new name as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, the Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep and the Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep, Mr. Modi said during a speech here.
These three islands are main tourist attractions.
