Kohima, May 24 (MExN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today stated that the Protected Area Permit (PAP) and Restricted Area Permit (RAP) continue to be a strong deterrent and discouragement for foreign nationals wanting to visit Nagaland and other north eastern states.
“At present, the Government of Nagaland has been permitted to issue PAP to married couples and a group of 4 and above only whereas those individual tourist or group of less than four has to be referred to the Ministry of Home affairs in order to obtain PAP clearance,” said Rio while addressing the valedictory function of the seminar on cultural tourism and crafts and textiles of the North east” here in Hotel Japfu.
Rio was of the view that the GoI should have sufficient faith in the capability of the state government to screen all foreigners wanting to visit the state. “In order to reduce inconveniences for the tourists, the responsibility for issue of PAP should completely be left to the state,” Rio said.
Referring to air services, Rio said the present standard of air services to Nagaland was very much wanting ion terms of efficiency and regularity. Flights are quite frequently cancelled causing a great deal of inconveniences to the tourists, Rio regretted.
Tourists normally prefer not to visit such places where travel schedule cannot be ascertained. Another problem connected with air travel in the north east is the prohibitive cost of tickets. It is notice that the fares charged by the Alliance Air in the north east sector especially in respect of ATR flights are very much higher as compared to the fares prevailing in other parts of the country, he said.
“This is happening in spite of air fare subsidy to the tune of Rs. 35.00 crore annually granted to the Alliance Air by the NEC to cover possible losses for its operation in the north east. This stands in the way of popularizing air travel in north east sector and its affects regularity of the flights”, Rio continued.
Stating that the facilities at the Dimapur railway station are in deplorable conditions, without proper retiring rooms and other amenities, Rio said “Efforts, therefore, need to be made by the Indian Airlines to create additional facilities and amenities to cater to the tourist requirements.”
Stating that Nagaland is planning to communitize tourist facilities, both in the urban and the rural sectors, Rio however said that infrastructures such as standard accommodations were still very negligible. The GoI should back up the state in the creation of such infrastructures.
Rio also stated that with the prevalent peaceful situation in the state, the overall scenario was changing and the inflow of foreign tourists as well as domestic tourists has been on the increase.
Also stating that the north east region, has a great potential to develop into a centre for cultural tourism, adventure tourism and eco-tourism, Rio said that the Ministry of Culture, the North East Zone Culture Centre and Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage can play a vital role by providing a platform for display and exposure of the rich cultural heritage and other exotic specialties of the North Eastern states to the rest of Indiana and the world.
“In fact, this can form an important component of the Look East Policy of the Government of India.,” Rio added.
