New Delhi: Concerned over harassment faced by tourists, Delhi police today (Aug 6, 2004) launched a special 'Tourist Police' wing whose officials will be deployed at 10 places frequented by visitors, including IGI Airport, railway stations, Red Fort and Qutub Minar.

The personnel of the wing will provide information to foreign and domestic tourists about the location of places of interest, transportation, fare and hotels and ensure that they are not harassed by peddlers, beggars or touts.

They will also guide them about local customs and traditions, security hazards, matters relating to passport and visas and even help them to procure tickets to museums and movies and provide medical help.

Flagging off 10 vehicles carrying the 'tourist police' personnel in New Delhi, Lt Governor of Delhi B L Joshi said their task will be to provide "an overall feeling of welcome" to visitors to the capital.

"When tourists come to a new place, they expect good treatment and this new initiative by Delhi Police is a praiseworthy effort," he said.

Police Commissioner K K Paul said that the new wing was an "experiment" and its deployment will be gradually extended to cover more areas over a period of time.

At present, tourist police units are present in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Goa and Jammu and Kashmir.

In Delhi, the units will be deployed at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi Railway Station, Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, Rajghat, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Palika Bazar, Janpath and India Gate.