News

Lakshadweep aims to develop world-class cruise tourism

Lakshadweep has proposed cruise tourism in order to generate employment opportunities, and also bring foreign exchange to the Union Territory. The idea is to develop a cruise tourism model similar to that in the Maldives and Mauritius. Thus, in a few years time, we might have a world-class cruising facility in the island of Lakshadweep. The Union Territory has informed the Ministry of Home Affairs in its proposal that it would like to dedicate a tourist ship in the islands. Lakshadweep Islands are a treat to the sore eye with azure waters, and incredibly beautiful sandy beaches. They certainly have the potential to become a world-class cruise destination. If cruise tourism does get developed, there is a possibility that the employment rate will also increase. Tourists will be able to get a multitude of great experiences. They can enjoy the different destinations in the Union Territory with the help of a cruise ship. The size may also vary so you can have large ships to small yachts at your disposal. It is certainly a luxurious travel experience, and an exclusive way to enjoy the islands. The tourism department is also planning to introduce an all-inclusive holiday package on a cruise ship for 48 hours. It will contain an itinerary that will be tailored to provide you with the best of experiences. Lakshadweep has already developed eco-friendly resorts in its islands for tourists. You can find them in Minicoy, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, and Bangaram islands.

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Coming soon: Green tax to enter Lahaul

Tourists entering Lahaul valley will have to pay a green cess soon as Lahaul-Spiti administration is planning to impose environmental compensation on the visitors. The administration has sent a proposal to the state government. Once approved, the visitors will have to pay the green cess. The amount collected from the visitors will be spent on greenery, cleanliness and development works in the villages. Thousands of vehicles carrying thousands of tourists are expected to enter Lahaul valley every day. Besides bringing prosperity to the valley, Lahaul at an average altitude of 10,000ft is subjected to littering and sound and air pollution. To deal with the situation, administration has started framing various policies. The green cess collected from the visitors can be used in restoration of the damages to environment. The administration is working on solid waste management. Littering by roadsides, temples, picnic spots, riversides and main attractions will soon be common in Lahaul, as it is seen in other hill stations. The administration has planned to give jute bags to all the tourist vehicles entering the valley so that tourists could store their trash in the bag and deposit it at designated area before leaving the valley. Manali also charges green fees from all the non-Himachal registered vehicles before entering the town. The environment compensation charges are imposed on vehicles going towards Rohtang pass for tourism purpose. So far there is no toll or any arrangement of collection of any kind of tax on Manali-Leh highway via Atal tunnel. If Himachal government gives its nod, the s moving on this highway may have to pay the fees. Meanwhile, Lahaul faces acute shortage of drinking water in inter season when all water sources and pipes get frozen in extreme cold. Stating that 24 hours water supply is mandatory for boom in winter tourism, the administration is also working on providing all households and tourism units with running water. Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Pankaj Rai said, “The proposal to impose green cess has been sent to the state government. We are working on providing water to Keylong 24 hours a day on a pilot project. The facility will be provided in other areas in a phased manner,” he said.

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India, Bangladesh to start bi-weekly passenger train from March 26

India and Bangladesh on Wednesday announced a bi-weekly train between New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in north Bengal and Dhaka in Bangladesh starting March 26, the day the neighbouring country begins the golden jubilee celebrations of its independence. The non-stop passenger train with ten bogeys, running between New Jalpaiguri and Dhaka, will cover a distance of 513km. This will also be the third passenger train between the two countries. The other two are: Maitree Express that runs between Kolkata and Dhaka, and Bandhan Express that connects Kolkata and Khulna. Ravindra Kumar Verma, divisional railway manager of India’s Katihar division, said: “We held a detailed discussion with a team of Bangladesh railway officers led by Mohammed Shahidul Islam, the divisional railway manager of Bangladesh’s railways’ Paksey division, who arrived in Siliguri on February 22.” The Haldibari-Chilahati (in Bangladesh) train route was opened after a gap of 55 years for goods trains on December 17 last year. The passenger train between New Jalpaiguri and Dhaka will take the same route. Islam said, “The train services will improve the bilateral relations between the two countries and will boost the tourism industry in both the countries.” The name of the train and its fare are yet to be decided, said Verma. Custom and immigration facilities will be provided at NJP and Dhaka railway stations. The train will ply from NJP on Thursdays and Fridays and from Dhaka on Fridays and Tuesdays. Once the passenger train service on the Haldibari-Chilahati route is resumed, many other trains between North Bengal and Kolkata could avoid detours, taking this route instead. Islam said the Bangladesh government wanted to run the train between Siliguri, North Bengal’s biggest town, and Dhaka. “But Siliguri didn’t have the required infrastructure, so it had to be NJP instead,” he said. NJP has the biggest railway station in North Bengal and is just 6km away from Siliguri. Meanwhile, the development brings hope for tour operators. Sandipan Ghosh, secretary of Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators Association, and Samrat Sanyal, general secretary of Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network, said the services would ease the movement of tourists and people of the two countries who have close ties.

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Flying to West Bengal from these 4 states? Carry a Covid negative test report

In view of the increasing trend of Covid cases in Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Telangana, the West Bengal Government has made carrying a Covid negative RT-PCR test report mandatory for passengers flying to Bengal from February 27. People travelling to West Bengal from Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Telangana by flights need to carry a negative RT-PCR test from Saturday. In a letter to PS Kharola, Secy, Minister of Civil Aviation, Additional Chief Secy, Home and Hill Affairs, West Bengal H K Dwivedi has written, " This is to inform you that State Government has decided that from 12 noon of 27th Feb, 2021, all passengers coming to West Bengal from the aforesaid 4 states shall mandatorily carry a covid negative RT-PCR Report within 72 hours of flight departure." Meanwhile, till now, West Bengal has reported 3377 active cases of Covid with 202 new cases.

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Delhi won't allow travellers from 5 states to enter without negative Covid test report

People coming from Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab will require negative coronavirus test report to enter Delhi starting the day after tomorrow, according to a notification released today. As per the statement, the order will be in force from February 26 to March 15. Meanwhile, India reported 13,742 new Covid cases, 14,037 discharges, and 104 deaths in the last 24 hours. Going by latest figures, the total death toll in India has now reached 1,56,567, while the vaccination count so far stands at 1,21,65,598. In a related development, the director of PGIMER Chandigarh said that the new Covid strains detected in India and the UK strain are highly transmissible.

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J&K L-G asks visiting tourists to be UT’s goodwill ambassadors

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has asked tourists to the Union Territory to become its goodwill ambassadors. Sinha made the request while visiting Dal Lake on Tuesday evening where he interacted with many tourists from different parts of the country. Asking them about their experiences during their stay here, Sinha said, “Be goodwill ambassadors of Jammu & Kashmir and carry the message to your respective areas that J&K is an ideal and safe tourist destination.” He also assured the tourists a safe and pleasant visit and added that the tourism department, the local community, and other stakeholders were collectively making the environment tourist-friendly. “From eco-tourism to winter sports, from pilgrimage to adventure tourism, J&K offers a host of attractions to tourists to experience the scenic beauty, warm hospitality, rich culture and heritage of the Union Territory,” Sinha said. The government also opened Sonmarg, which falls in Ganderbal district, for tourists.

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