Sri Vijaya Puram, July 27: A delegation of the Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO), led by its President, Shri M. Vinod, General Secretary, Shri Saikat Biswas, and Vice President, Shri K. Hamza, paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of Police, Andaman & Nicobar Police, Shri Ravindra Singh Yadav, IPS, to congratulate him on assuming office and discuss key issues concerning the tourism sector in the islands.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted several operational challenges affecting the tourism industry and sought the support of the Police Department in improving visitor experience while ensuring safety and compliance with regulations.
One of the key issues raised was the introduction of an online permit issuance system for vehicles travelling through the Jirkatang–Middle Strait Convoy. The delegation explained that an online system would streamline the permit process, reduce waiting time, and improve convenience for both tourists and tour operators.
The delegation also requested the introduction of an additional convoy exclusively for commercial trucks to reduce congestion in the existing convoy, thereby ensuring smoother movement of tourist vehicles travelling to North and Middle Andaman.
Emphasising the importance of responsible tourism, AATO proposed that the Police Department conduct regular awareness and sensitisation programmes for tour operators, drivers, tour coordinators, and other tourism professionals. The proposed training programmes would focus on the ill effects of alcohol and drug abuse, legal responsibilities, road safety, and awareness of important laws and regulations, particularly those relating to the ANPAT Regulations and other regulations governing tourism activities in the islands.
Shri Ravindra Singh Yadav, IPS, appreciated the constructive suggestions put forward by the delegation and immediately passed necessary instructions to the concerned officers to initiate regular awareness and sensitisation training programmes for tourism stakeholders. He also assured to examine and take forward the proposal for implementing an online permit system for the Jirkatang–Middle Strait Convoy.
The delegation thanked the Director General of Police for his positive response and assurance of cooperation.