Pune : Over 3.5 Lakh passports issued from Jan-Sep 2023; 1 Lakh more than Jan-Sep 2022

By: Pune Pulse

October 19, 2023

Pune: The Regional Passport Office has issued more than 3.5 lakh passports from January to September 2023 compared to 2.5 lakh passports issued between January to September 2022.

Speaking at a press meet at Patrakar Bhavan, Pune, Dr Arjun Deore, Regional Passport Officer, Pune stated that the entire passport process has been streamlined and made better. Earlier, the appointments for passport issuance, under normal and Tatkal categories, were being issued 2 months and 3 months later respectively. In an entire year, the passport office has looked at various points and services which can be made better and quicker.

Dr Deore stressed on the importance for the passport applicants to be aware of the passport issuance procedure. The entire information about passport issuance and process is available on the official passport website. Still, several such cases take place where, despite having all the information available easily, several required documents are not brought by people during passport issuance to the passport office.

The passport process is getting streamlined year after year to such an extent that the number of passport issuance appointments has increased and the output and quality of the passport office employees have also increased. The passport office is a prime example of a minimal government and maximum governance.

Not only the speed of work but also sensitivity is looked at in the passport office where, if a person is going through a serious ailment like Cancer etc, or if a person is a senior citizen, pregnant woman, etc, in such cases, a priority token is given to fast track the process of passport issuance for them.

Dr Deore further stated that whenever a person wants to issue a passport but is under doubt of the category i.e. Normal or Tatkaal, the person must always apply under the Normal category as there are many factors that are considered ineligible under the Tatkal category. Also, the fee in the normal category is Rs 1,500/- whereas for Tatkaal, the fee is Rs 1,500 + Rs 2,000. Thus, only if it is genuinely required for a person to get a passport quickly/for an emergency, then and then only he/she must apply for a passport under the Tatkal category.

Dr  Deore also spoke about the usage of digital applications like DigiLocker to submit required documents for passport issuance and its procedure as, by this, if the documents submitted digitally are genuine, the procedure of passport issuance will further get fast-tracked and streamlined.

For any further information, clarification, etc related to passport applications, issuance and more, passport applicants can call the National Call Centre number for passport-related things 1800-258-1800, or applicants can visit the official passport website.

Shreyas Vange