GUWAHATI: In a bid to bolster the safety and security of tourists flooding Assam, the state tourism department is gearing up to unveil a dedicated “tourist police” initiative.
The initiative, a part of the new Assam Tourism (Development and Registration) Bill, 2024, comes in the wake of a significant surge in holidaymakers’ footfall witnessed post-Covid in 2023.
Under the proposed scheme, which has been already adopted in other states such as Goa and Kerala, specialised units, tourist police stations, and requisite infrastructure will be established to ensure the well-being of visitors across the state.
According to a statement by a Tourism Department official quoted in a national daily, it was stated that this legislative framework will not only provide a robust structure for the tourism sector but also mandate every accommodation facility to register with the tourism department.
Reports suggest that the proposed tourist police units will conduct thorough inspections of tourist spots, ensuring a safe and secure environment for visitors.
The concept of “tourist police” was initially introduced nationwide in 2022, with directives issued by the Union ministry of tourism to establish dedicated units across all states and Union territories.
This collaborative effort with the Ministry of Home Affairs aims to devise comprehensive frameworks encompassing standard operating procedures, training programmes, and uniform guidelines for tourist police officers.
Reportedly, Assam’s tourism sector has witnessed a remarkable uptick in recent years, with tourist footfall surging to 98.31 lakh in 2023, compared to 17.03 lakh in 2022.
These figures mark the highest recorded influx in the past decade, underscoring the state’s burgeoning appeal as a tourist destination.
