Bhubaneswar: Several tour and travel agencies in Puri are operating without valid documents, raising concerns over tourist safety and industry standards, an extensive police inspection has revealed.Police teams searched nearly 50 agencies under the Sea Beach, Baliapanda, Town and Kumbharapada police station limits to verify compliance with licencing norms and tax obligations.
“During the checks, we found many agencies functioning illegally without trade licences or municipal approval. They have been warned of legal action if they fail to secure the necessary documents,” said Puri SP Prateek Singh.The raids were conducted following multiple complaints from tourists alleging harassment and fraud. According to the tourism department, only three tour agencies in Puri are officially licenced to operate within the hospitality sector. The inspection highlighted the mushrooming of unauthorised operators, particularly near the beach.“There were several complaints of tourists being overcharged and misled by fraudulent agencies. Our raids confirmed that most of these operators lacked proper documents. Some had earlier been warned and have since complied with govt norms,” Singh said.Puri, a major tourist destination attracting millions annually, has become a lucrative hub for travel businesses. However, police sources revealed that unlicenced agencies were engaging in deceptive practices — offering substandard services at inflated prices, failing to deliver promised packages, and in some cases leaving tourists stranded without transport or accommodation. Others reportedly coerced visitors into paying extra for services that were supposed to be included.“We will continue such crackdowns at regular intervals to ensure agencies operate only after obtaining official approvals. Those ignoring instructions will be booked for cheating and may face arrest,” warned the SP.Police authorities stressed that travel agencies must secure separate approvals from both the tourism department and local municipality, adhere to safety guidelines, use licenced commercial vehicles and avoid overcharging.Hoteliers endorsed the crackdown. “We urge tourists to verify the credentials of travel agencies before booking services. They should report any suspicious activities to police,” a hotelier said.
