If you want to apply for a passport in Delhi, be prepared to wait about a month. The closure of the ITO passport office has led to delays, as its application counters have been relocated to the office at Videocon Tower. With this shift, the waiting time for appointments has increased significantly. Additionally, the Bhikaji Cama Place passport office was previously moved to Defense Colony, but this office also faces long waiting periods for online appointments.
Passport Application Process Delay for One Month
The passport office at Videocon Tower in Jhandewalan is issuing 1,200 online appointments daily. Despite this large number, the demand for passports remains overwhelming, making it impossible for anyone to secure an appointment before October 17th. Over 20,000 applicants are in the virtual queue, already booking their appointments.
Struggles with Removing Objections
Applicants from Delhi, Sonipat, Gurugram, Narnaul, and Faridabad whose passport applications have raised objections are required to visit the regional passport office at Bhikaji Cama Place to resolve the issues. They must submit the necessary documents or undertakings to remove these objections. Unfortunately, there is no option for an online appointment at this office to address objections.
There is a 12-day wait to secure an online appointment for inquiry at the regional office. Some applicants, however, bypass this by directly visiting the office. In such cases, officials address their objections via walk-in appointments to alleviate the hassle. Yet, despite these measures, many applicants still face difficulties and have called for better solutions to ease the process.
Increased Waiting Times at Post Office Passport Centers
The situation is even more challenging at passport centres in post offices, where wait times are significantly longer due to the high number of applicants. Online appointments at the Faridabad POPSK are fully booked until December 16th, for Mehrauli until November 4th, for Narnaul until October 24th, and for Nehru Place until December 2nd. Given these delays, passport applicants cannot apply at the main passport centres or post offices shortly.
Four-Day Wait Time for Tatkal Applications
The Shalimar Bagh passport office is facing a similar surge in demand, particularly for general category appointments. This office processes 485 applications daily, but all available slots are booked until October 24th. There is a four-day waiting list even for Tatkal applications, which is meant to expedite the process. Applicants have expressed frustration and are urging authorities to resolve this issue promptly.
Urgent Application Process
Under the Tatkal quota, appointments are available for those in urgent need the next day. However, not everyone can apply under this category. Tatkal applicants must pay nearly double the regular fee and provide a valid reason for their urgent application. Additionally, they must submit a letter from a gazetted officer to support their request. Despite these measures, many still encounter issues during the application process, causing further delays and frustration.
Conclusion
The passport application process in Delhi has been significantly affected by long wait times, high demand, and the closure or relocation of key passport offices. Whether you’re applying through the general process or the Tatkal scheme, securing an appointment is lengthy and complicated. Many applicants call for improvements and streamlined processes to reduce waiting periods and simplify the experience.
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