Puri: In a bid to ensure the safety of tourists in Odisha’s Puri, police launched a massive crackdown against unregistered and unauthorised tour and travel agencies on Tuesday.
The drive, which began following a series of complaints of cheating and harassment, is aimed at effectively regulating the tourism sector with proper documentation and licensing.
Stating that the move is directed against illegal tour and travel operators, a senior police official said the crackdown is part of efforts to prevent exploitation of pilgrims and tourists visiting Puri.
Puri Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra told reporters that the pilgrim town witnessed mushrooming of tour operators and the raids are being carried out following specific complaints received from different quarters.
Many tourists have reported cases of misbehaviour, cheating, harassment and overcharging, often at the hands of unauthorised operators. People with no tourism background have opened travel agencies, some of whom are allegedly involved in anti-social activities.
It has come to notice that many agencies lack trade licenses from the municipality or permission from the Tourism Department.
Stating that raids are being conducted in different parts of the pilgrim town, the SP said no official count of travel agencies currently exists with the police. However, heads of all police stations have been directed to carry out verification in their respective jurisdictions.
The police have also announced that unregistered agencies will be given time to comply by registering and submitting all necessary documents. The primary objective is to ensure that tourists visiting popular destinations in Puri are not subjected to fraud or harassment.
