We need Inner Line Permit or ILP to visit Arunachal Pradesh, if I am not wrong. Any idea how to get the ILP issued? I mean, what's the exact procedure to obtain the permit? Do we need to apply in advance or it can be issued on arrival? Is there a way to get the ILP online? Besides Arunachal Pradesh, which are the other Indian states that require ILP for tourists?
ILP or Inner Line Permit is a travel document that allows Indian citizens to enter into a protected area for tourism purpose. It is mandatory for the people from other states to obtain ILP before entering the protected state. The original purpose of ILP was to regulate movement to certain areas located near the international borders. Earlier ILP was required to travel to most of the places located close to the international borders. Now the rules have been relaxed in all other parts of India (including Jammu & Kashmir), except for the NorthEastern states where it is still in practice to protect the tribal cultures. Arunachal Pradesh is one of the four Indian states that require ILP, with the other three being Nagaland, Sikkim and Mizoram. Couple of years ago, even Leh-Ladakh region in Kashmir used to come under the scope of ILP, but from 2014 onwards, the Indian Government has abolished ILP for promoting tourism in Leh-Ladakh region. There are two different types of ILPs issued, one for tourists and others for employment purpose. Tourist ILP is issued on short term basis. It is valid for 15 days, which is extendable upto a period of another 30 days on request. Long-terms ILP is issued to people who intend to stay longer in the protected areas due to education or employment purposes. Tourist ILP can be obtained from the border check posts while entering a protected state by road. It can also be obtained from the Liaison Offices at the major cities in adjacent states. Arunachal Pradesh offers ILP Online, but the other three states do not have any online facility yet. Arunachal Pradesh ILP: It is possible to apply for and obtain ILP online for travelling to Arunachal Pradesh. The Arunachal Pradesh state Government has an ILP management portal to issue the permit to tourists. You need to fill up an application form and submit the same with a passport size photograph and a copy of your Government issued ID proof to get your permits approved. Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong, Tezpur and Dibrugarh are the other cities from which ILP for Arunachal Pradesh can be obtained. 1. Online ILP Application 2. Delhi - Aruncahal Bhawan, Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. Phone: (011)-3013915 3. Kolkata - Deputy Residence Commissioner, Govt of AP, CE-109, Sector-1, Salt Lake City, Kolkata. Phone: (033)-3341243 4. Guwahati - Deputy Residence Commissioner, Govt of AP, R.G. Baruah Road, Guwahati. Phone: (0361)-452859 5. Shillong - Liaison Officer, Govt of AP, Shillong Bazar. Phone (0364)-224247 6. Dibrugarh - Liaison Officer, Govt of AP, Mohanbari, Dibrugarh. Phone: (0373)-282560 Sikkim ILP: ILP for travelling to Sikkim can be obtained from Sikkim Tourism Offices at New Delhi and Kolkata. You can also get the same from the District Magistrate's Office in Siliguri and Darjeeling. Only a few places in Sikkim are in the scope of ILP, so you can also get your permit after arrival at Gangtok, Rangpo, Namchi and Pelling. For air travellers, ILP on arrival facility is available at Bagdogra airport. 1. Delhi - New Sikkim House, Panchasheel Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. Phone: (011)-26115346 2. Kolkata - Sikkim House, Middleton Street, Kolkata. Phone: (033)-22817905 3. Siliguri - Tourist Information Center, SNT Colony, Hill Cart Road, Siliguri. Phone: 95353-2512646 4. Gangtok - Tourist Information Center, M.G. Marg, Gangtok. Phone: (03592)-209090 Nagaland ILP: No online ILP facility is available for entering Nagaland. Dimapur, the largest city in Nagaland, doesn't require ILP, but if you need to travel to other parts of the state, then you can obtain the same from the Deputy Commissioner's office at Dimapur. You may also get Nagaland ILP from the Nagaland Houses in Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and Shillong. Given below are the offices from which Nagaland ILP is issued - 1. Delhi - The Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, 29, Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi. Phone - (011)-23016411 2. Kolkata - Nagaland House, 11 Theatre Road, Kolkata. Phone - (033)-2825226 3. Guwahati - Nagaland House, 6th Mile, GS Road, Guwahati. Phone: (0361)-2332158 4. Shillong - Nagaland House, Laitumkhrah, Shillong, Phone: (0364)-520083 5. Mokokchung - DC Office, Mokokchung, Nagaland. Phone: (0369)-2226231 Mizoram ILP: ILP on arrival facility is available at Lengpui Airport, Aizwal for the air travellers. No online ILP facility is available though. You can get ILP for entering Mizoram from the below mentioned Government offices at Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong and Silchar - 1. Delhi - Mizoram House, Circular Road, Chankyapuri, New Delhi, Phone: (011)-3016408 2. Kolkata - Liaison Officer, Mizoram House, 24, Old Ballygunge Road, Kolkata, Phone: (033)-4756430 3. Guwahati - Liaison Officer, Mizoram House, Christian Basti. G.S.Road, Guwahati, Phone: (0361)- 2529 448 4. Shillong - Liaison Officer, Mizoram House, Nongrim Hills, Shillong, Phone: (0364)-2230149 5. Silchar - Liaison Officer, Mizoram House, Sonai Road, Silchar, Phone: (03842)-225655 Hope the information helps. Regards, Deb
