New Delhi: Delhi Tourist Police is set to expand its presence by deploying personnel in special vehicles at 10 additional locations in the city. This move follows a thorough analysis of areas with high tourist footfall.
These specially trained officers, proficient in English and equipped with soft skills, will be stationed at prominent locations such as ITPO, Vasant Kunj Mall, Select City Mall, Jantar Mantar, Khan Market, Anand Vihar, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Garden of Five Senses, Sarai Kale Khan and ISBT Kashmere Gate.
Previously, these vehicles were deployed at 20 key locations, including the airport, railway station, bus stands, popular markets, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple and Qutub Minar.
According to a senior police officer, a proposal was earlier sent to the police headquarters, which was forwarded to the home ministry for approval.
Each vehicle will be staffed by three policemen. “They will be proficient in English. We regularly conduct refresher courses for our personnel and train them to handle various situations that may arise while interacting with tourists,” the officer explained.
Deputy commissioner of police (PCR) Pankaj Kumar Singh said that the policemen deployed in the vans possessed knowledge about iconic places and the topography of areas frequently visited by tourists. “In most cases, tourists approach us for directions, and our personnel can guide them properly due to their knowledge. The cops are also familiar with reputable hotels and taxi stands where tourists can hire taxis without being cheated or overcharged.”
Data reveals a significant surge in tourists seeking assistance from the special unit, with a 35% increase in cases reported this year compared to the previous year. As of Dec 15, 2024, a total of 1,233 cases were registered with the tourist police, whereas during the same period last year, the number stood at 915.
The majority of cases handled by the Delhi Police’s tourist helpline pertained to touting, overcharging and requests for directions. “At airports or railway stations, whenever we found foreign nationals or tourists in distress, our staff proactively reached out to them and guided them to the right place,” another officer explained.
The officer said every call received by the helpline was promptly attended to, and necessary assistance was provided to the tourists. “In cases where tourists faced visa-related problems, we guided them to the correct embassy, facilitating a smooth and efficient resolution to their concerns.”
