India 2020 Crime & Safety Report: Chennai This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in India. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s country-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private- sector representatives with an OSAC password. Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses most of India at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk: do not travel to the state of Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest; and do not travel to within ten kilometers of the border with Pakistan due to the potential for armed conflict. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System The region covered by the U.S. Consulate General includes the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, and the union territories of Puducherry and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Overall Crime & Safety Situation Crime Threats The U.S. Department of State has assessed Chennai as being a MEDIUM-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Chennai, the capital city of the State of Tamil Nadu, is regarded as one of the safest cities in India. Violent crimes in Chennai, especially ones directed against foreigners, have traditionally been uncommon. The greater Chennai metropolitan area contains over 12 million people, making it the fourth-largest urban area in India. Petty crime, especially theft of personal property, is common, particularly on trains or buses. Pickpockets can be very adept. Women have reported having their bags snatched, purse straps cut, or the bottom of their purses slit without their knowledge. Pickpocketing occurs routinely on public transport systems. Do not carry large sums of money or display expensive jewelry or electronics. Review OSAC’s report, All That You Should Leave Behind. Be self-aware and use good personal security practices to help reduce your chance of becoming a target. For example, ensure all windows and doors are locked at your residence, hotel room, and vehicle, and verify valuables are secured and out of plain sight. Review OSAC’s reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security Police officials recommend that foreign travelers register with the local police when traveling to their district. Observe stringent security precautions, including avoiding using public transport after dark without the company of known and trustworthy companions. Restrict evening entertainment to well- known venues and avoiding walking in isolated areas alone at any time of day. Carry a mobile phone with pre-programmed emergency contact numbers, and respect local dress and custom, with an emphasis on dressing conservatively. India 2020 Crime & Safety Report: Chennai Cybersecurity Issues India has over 450 million monthly active internet users. South India is a major hub of information technology (IT). The large presence of IT companies and IT skilled workforce can create an environment of increased cybersecurity risk. Cybercrimes such as theft of financial information, identity theft, and ATM skimmers have become a significant concern in India. Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud, Taking Credit, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? Transportation-Safety Situation Road Safety and Road Conditions Travel by road in India is dangerous. India leads the world in traffic-related deaths, and a number of U.S. citizens have had fatal traffic accidents in recent years. Drivers must have either a valid Indian driver’s license or a valid international driver’s permit with a valid U.S. state’s driver’s license. Because of difficult road and traffic conditions, consider hiring a local driver. Most Indian cities lack marked pedestrian crossings, at-grade crossings, and pavement on many roads. It is difficult to cross certain roads because there are no traffic signals; motorists may disregard traffic laws and signals. Traffic in India travels on the left; it is therefore important to exercise extreme caution when crossing streets and intersections, even in marked pedestrian areas. Chennai reported 361 pedestrians killed in road accidents in 2018. Helmets are required while riding on motorcycles and bicycles. If a vehicle hits a pedestrian or a cow, it and its occupants are at risk of being attacked by angry mobs. Such attacks pose significant risk of injury or death to the vehicle's occupants, or at least impounding of the vehicle. It is unsafe to remain at the scene. If involved in such an accident, try to reach the nearest police station. Driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood-alcohol level that exceeds 30mg per 100ml as detected by a breath analyzer is punishable under Indian law. Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad. Public Transportation Conditions Public transportation, such as buses trains, and metro rail, are in wide use and often crowded. When using public transportation, always exercise caution with your bags and refrain from announcing the details of your identity and travel plans. Avoid using private unmarked buses/taxis, as many who have used these as a means of transportation have fallen victim to crime. The safest form of travel is ridesharing applications such as Uber, Ola, or auto rickshaw (tuk tuk), all of which are widely available. Interstate trains are safer than buses, but train accidents still occur more frequently than in other countries. India 2020 Crime & Safety Report: Chennai Protesters in India often use roadblocks to publicize their grievances. Monitor local news for reports of road disturbances. Tamil Nadu has a highly developed, dense, and modern transportation infrastructure, encompassing both public and private transport. Chennai is well-connected by land, sea, and air, and serves as a major hub for entry into South India. Review OSAC’s report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Aviation/Airport Conditions The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of India’s Civil Aviation Authority as compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of India’s air carrier operations. Tamil Nadu’s major international airport, Chennai International Airport (MAA), is the fourth-busiest in India by passenger traffic and the country’s third-largest cargo hub. Other international airports in the state are Coimbatore International Airport (CJB) and Tiruchirapalli International Airport (TRZ). Madurai Airport (IXM) is a customs airport with limited international flights. Salem Airport (SXV) and Thoothukudi Airport (TCR) are domestic airports. Terrorism Threat The U.S. Department of State has assessed Chennai as being a HIGH-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. India continues to experience terrorist and insurgent activities that can affect U.S. citizens directly or indirectly. Terror attacks have targeted public places (e.g. hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas) including some frequented by foreigners. A number of terrorist groups operate in India. Many are seeking political recognition, and their attacks are not aimed at killing people; as a result, most terrorist attacks in India produce few casualties. Maoists (“Naxalites”) are the most active insurgent group in India. The Naxalites typically attack government officials/buildings, and destroy public institutions (derailing rail lines). While they are responsible for more terrorist attacks in India than any other organization, they have not specifically targeted U.S. citizens or foreigners, but there is a risk that visitors could become unintended victims of indiscriminate targeting. There is Maoist presence in the “Tri-Junction” area, where Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states converge. Violent clashes with police and security forces have occurred. Although the U.S. government does not place this region off-limits, government personnel are strongly discouraged from traveling to this area for non-essential purposes. All three states have dedicated anti-Maoist police forces who track Maoist activities. Anti-Western terrorist groups, including some on the U.S. Government's list of foreign terrorist organizations, are active in India, including Islamist extremist groups such as Harkat-ul-Jihad-i-Islami (HUJI), Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM), Indian Mujahideen (IM), Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e Tayyiba (LeT). India 2020 Crime & Safety Report: Chennai Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence The U.S. Department of State has assessed Chennai as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Civil Unrest There is moderate risk from civil unrest in Chennai. Political violence is possible in