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In a bid to increase the foreign tourist arrivals to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Government has assigned the Port Blair airport as the designated immigration checkpoint for entry and exit from India with valid documents. This move will help international travellers to fly directly to the islands.

“In pursuance of sub-rule (b) of rule 3 of the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950, the Central Government hereby designates Port Blair airport of Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands as an authorised immigration check post for entry into/exit from India with valid travel documents for all classes of passengers,” a Home Ministry notification said.

The Home Ministry appointed the Superintendent of Police, CID, Andaman and Nicobar Police as ‘civil authority’ for the immigration check post at Port Blair airport with effect from December 31, 2018.

According to a data by Home Ministry, more than 1.6 million travellers visited the Islands between 2015 and October last year. More than four lakh tourists including 11,818 international travellers visited Andaman and Nicobar Islands till October 2018.

Recently, PM Narendra Modi announced the renaming of the three islands of the archipelago as a tribute to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. The Ross Island was renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, the Neil Island as Shaheed Dweep and the Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep.

Source: travelnewsdigest.in