Government extends visa to stranded tourists

The government on 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.

The government on 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.

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A large number of tourists are stranded in different airports in India after their flights were cancelled due to the volcanic ash cloud, which 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.