India

Indian Naval Hydrographic Office: National Hydrographic Office, 107A, Rajpur Road, Post Box No. 75, Dehradun, 248001 Uttarakhand, India. T: +91 (135) 274 7360. F: +91 (135) 274 8373. [email protected] www.hydrobharat.nic.in/

Also see Regulations.

All vessels more than 100 g.t. carrying dangerous or hazardous cargo transiting through the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are required to report their position 48 hours prior to entering the Indian port, or 24 hours before entering the EEZ. Vessels transiting/entering the EEZ from neighbouring countries shall be required to also report details of cargo 24 hours before departure from port.

Types of reporting include sailing plan, position report, deviation report and final report. Reports shall be made to

To assist local Agent with data input into PCS, vessel may be required to forward to Agent the following:

Vessels shall send a Pre-Arrival/Departure Report to MCC Kandla (VTS Gulf of Kachchh) at least 24 hours before arrival. A vessel arriving from a port with less than 24 hours' steaming time shall notify NCC Kandla by email or fax immediately on departure from previous port.

The report, as per format published in Indian Notices to Mariners - 9th (dated 1 May 2012) and Admiralty Notices to Mariners - 26th (dated 28 June 2012), should contain the following information:

Note: The Gulf of Kachchh (GOK) forms internal waters and anchoring outside port limits within GOK is prohibited.

Also see Approaches and Emergency Response Centre.

Local medical facilities are not of a high standard, especially in remote areas. In major cities private medical care is available, but expensive.

Mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue Fever occur all year round. There has been an increase in the number of cases of dengue fever, including in New Delhi. India has been classified as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. Cases of Chikungunya Virus have been confirmed in India, including in New Delhi. You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

If you travel to India from Pakistan, Israel, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Afghanistan or Somalia you may be required to hold a valid polio vaccination certificate.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your stay in India, dial 102 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

The Indian Government encourages all foreign vessels of 300 g.t. and above to participate voluntarily; likewise, all vessels of 100 g.t. or more, irrespective of flag, carrying nuclear or inherently dangerous or noxious substances are encouraged to participate. Types of reporting include sailing plan, position report, deviation report and final report. Reports shall be made to MRCC Mumbai.

Admiralty Vector Chart Service (AVCS)/Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) coverage of the Gujarat coastline consists of Indian ENC's issued by the Indian Hydrographic Office and, therefore, fully meets the above requirement.

Latest updates on Circulars/Notices to Mariners/surveys of the port available from the Chief Nautical Officer, GMB. T: +91 (2822) 220435. [email protected]

There are restrictions on bringing Indian rupees into India. Visitors, including tourists, are not permitted to bring any amount of Indian currency into the country. If you are visiting India, you can bring cash or travellers’ cheques (in another foreign currency) and/or a bank card with you and exchange or withdraw rupees once in India. If you are resident in India, you can bring up to INR 7,500 into the country.

www.cbec.gov.in

Visitors to India should avoid protests and large gatherings. Stampedes have occurred during some events with large crowds, including at political rallies and religious gatherings, resulting in deaths and injuries. Follow the advice of the local authorities and your local representatives. Monitor local media and respect any curfew restrictions that may be in place.

Additional security measures have been implemented at airports across the country. If you are travelling through an airport you should allow additional time to complete check-in and security as you and your baggage may be required to undergo random x-rays and baggage checks.

From January 2019, protests have continued in Assam and other states in the NE of India. These protests are related to the revision of the National Register of Citizens and a proposed Citizen Amendment Bill. Anyone visiting these areas should check the latest travel advice before they travel. Once in the region, you’re advised to avoid large crowds.

Drugs are illegal in India. There is a minimum sentence of 6 months for possession of small amounts deemed for personal consumption only. A 10-year sentence for possession of other amounts applies. The judicial process is slow and pre-trial detention lasting several years is normal.

It is illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a licence. India has a strong legal framework to regulate and restrict wildlife trade and is also a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). If you are caught purchasing or trafficking such goods illegally, you will be prosecuted and receive prison sentences or fines.

The laws governing alcohol vary from state to state. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Bihar, Gujarat, Kerala, Manipur, Nagaland and the union territory of Lakshadweep. Consumption or possession of alcohol in prohibited states can lead to arrest without bail and charges which carry a sentence of 5 to 10 years. In some states foreign nationals and non-resident Indians are able to buy 30-day alcohol permits. Seek advice from your local agent or the authorities to ensure you are aware of any alcohol prohibition in the state. During major religious festivals, national holidays and elections a ban on the sale of alcohol is often imposed.

You may need prior permission from the Indian authorities to bring equipment like listening or recording devices, radio transmitters, powerful cameras or binoculars into India.

All individual visa seekers are requested to apply for the visa through an online application ( indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/ ). Once the form is filled and submitted, the applicant must print the completed application form and sign and submit the physical copy along with the supporting documents and passport to the Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) or directly at the nearest Indian Mission on the scheduled appointed date, along with the requisite supporting documents.

Holders of passports endorsed who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for an e-Visa to enter India at certain designated airports. You can find more information about the eligibility criteria on the Government of India’s e-Visa website indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

Visa-on-arrival is available to Japanese and South Korean nationals. Conditions do apply, and details are available online at boi.gov.in/visa-on-arrival

India’s Bureau of Immigration has announced that with immediate effect, foreign nationals who arrive at an Indian port holding non-machine readable passports will be denied entry. Carriers who transport foreign passengers holding non-machine readable passports may be subject to a fine.

Bureau of Immigration. boi.gov.in