No more free SIM cards for foreign tourists in India

A scheme to provide free SIM cards to foreign tourists arriving in India to help them to stay connected while in India has been “discontinued” as it was felt “unnecessary”, informed tourism secretary Rashmi Verma. Under the scheme, foreign tourists availing e-visas were provided free SIM cards on arrival in India.

The scheme was launched in February last year by the then tourism minister Mahesh Sharma. The BSNL SIM cards provided to the foreign tourists were with Rs 50 talk time and 50 MB Data. The cards would be activated, once the tourists land in India. It has validity of 30 days.

The SIM also helped the travellers to contact the 24-hour tourist helpline number available in 12 languages, including Russian, German and Japanese. It is told the helpline for foreign tourists is going to be expanded with addition of some other languages.

With regard to the discontinuation of free SIM card, Verma said foreign tourists use social media apps and Wi-Fi facility is also available in most places including at the airports, which helps them for their communication needs.

Last year, India for the first time crossed 10 million in foreign tourist arrivals. Combined with the NRI visitors, the international tourist arrivals stood at around 16.5 million. The tourism ministry is aiming at doubling the foreign tourist arrivals and revenue for it in next three years.

The tourism secretary also said that under the Swadesh Darshan scheme of the ministry, 15 tourist circuits were identified for which 68 projects were approved. Thirty of these projects are likely to be completed by end of this year, she added.