2 weeks Ago By Nisha Nambiar
Pune: The state disaster management authorities have urged the tourism department to implement mandatory information reporting system for all tour operators in the wake of terror attack in Pahalgam. The proposed system would require operators to submit comprehensive tourist details — including traveller rosters, emergency contacts, itineraries, and transportation plans — to district disaster management authorities through a secure digital platform. "The authorities faced significant challenges locating and assisting victims during last year's devastating landslide in Uttarakhand and the recent attack in Pahalgam due to lack of readily available information," a senior disaster management official said.
"This initiative aims to create a standardised protocol that balances emergency response needs with privacy concerns." The proposal includes providing tourists with emergency contact numbers before crossing state borders. Officials believe this approach would significantly enhance disaster response capabilities and tourist safety nationwide.
State administration officials highlighted critical information gaps during the recent crises. "We had no clear data on the number of operators or people stranded at Pahalgam from our state," said a Pune district administration official who helped register over 500 tourists stranded in Kashmir. "While helplines were established, having comprehensive data would have enabled the administration to immediately contact tourists.
The tourism department urgently needs to amend its protocols," he added. Rajan Pradeep Parekh, managing proprietor, Arihant Travels, and secretary, Maharashtra Tour Organisers Association, said, "Rules should be initiated by the state govt requiring all tour operators to register their tours and share participant information. This should apply uniformly across the state.
" Parekh added that data sharing would benefit both administration and operators during crises like Pahalgam attack or Uttarakhand floods. Another tour operator said, "If clear rules were established, everyone would comply, eliminating confusion when authorities need to contact operators during emergencies. Currently, without regulations, nobody shares this information.
" A tourist stranded at Pahalgam said, "The administration should collect all relevant data before trips begin. This would facilitate immediate evacuation assistance during any emergency, whether a terror attack or natural disaster." A senior tourism official acknowledged the complexity of the issue.
"While sharing tourist information with the district administration is worth considering, security and data privacy remain a concern. We could begin by mandating that private tour operators contact district disaster management in case of emergencies, with contact information provided as travellers reach destinations." An industry expert emphasised the need for balance.
"Tourist data sharing with administration involves weighing potential benefits against privacy considerations. Travellers should be clearly informed about what information is being collected and why, with options to manage their data-sharing preferences," he said..
