Assam Faces Travel Restrictions Amid Law and Order Concerns

Six countries, including the USA and UK, have imposed travel restrictions for their citizens visiting Assam due to law and order issues. Assam's tourism numbers have declined, prompting efforts to lift these restrictions. The state government is also promoting tea tourism to boost the sector.

Six countries, including the USA, UK, and Australia, have placed travel restrictions on their citizens for visiting Assam and the Northeast due to the region's law and order issues, announced Assam Tourism Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass in the assembly on Tuesday.

Minister Dass was responding to a query from Congress MLA Rekibuddin Ahmed. Canada, New Zealand, and Switzerland are also among the countries that have issued these advisories for visiting Assam and neighboring northeastern states, citing concerns over safety and order, Dass revealed.

The Assam Tourism Department, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, is actively engaging with these countries to reverse the travel warnings. Despite these efforts, a noticeable decline in tourist arrivals has been observed with numbers dropping from 98,31,141 in the 2022-23 fiscal year to 67,88,565 in 2024-25. To adapt, the state is pushing for tea tourism through the 'Promotion and Development of Tea Tourism Infrastructure in Assam' scheme, allocating grants for 56 tea gardens.

(With inputs from agencies.)