Now, tourist vehicle operators can apply for all-India permit online

The new set of rules, to be known as "All India Tourist Vehicles Authorization and Permit Rules, 2021", was published on 10 March and will be applicable from 1 April 2021. All existing permits will continue to be in force for the duration of their validity period.

The new rules for permits are expected to go a long way in promoting tourism across the states while simultaneously increasing the revenue of state governments. The step was discussed during the 39th and 40th Transport Development Council meetings and was appreciated and concurred to by the participants from various states.

The rules come even as the ministry is in pursuit of providing seamless movement to tourist passenger vehicles after the success of goods carriage vehicles under the National Permit Regime.

Moreover, the scheme allows flexibility in the form of authorization/permit being granted for a period of three months or its multiples thereof, not exceeding three years at a time. This provision has been incorporated keeping in mind those areas of our country where there is a limited tourist season and also for those operators who have limited financial capacity. It will also consolidate a central database and fees of all such authorization/permits, which might give a sense of tourist movements, scope for improvement, promotion of tourism.

The step comes in the context of the travel and tourism industry in our country increasing manifold in the last 15 years. The growth has been contributed by both domestic and international tourists and there is a trend of high expectation and consumer experience.