Government extends visa for stranded tourists
By IANSTuesday, April 20, 2010
NEW DELHI - The government Tuesday said it has allowed special landing permits and extension of visa for a maximum period of 14 days to tourists stranded in India due to cancellation of flights in the wake of a volcanic eruption in Iceland.
A large number of tourists are stranded in different airports in India after their flights were cancelled due to the volcanic ash cloud that has spread over Europe and disrupted thousands of flights worldwide.
“To avoid hardship to such legitimate foreign travellers, it has been decided to allow special landing permit and extension of visa to them for a maximum period of 14 days without charging any fees,” a home ministry statement said.
Such powers for extension of visa or issue of special landing permits can be exercised by immigration officers, not below the rank of inspector of police, posted at the airport, the statement added.
