The Regional Passport Office at Bhikaji Cama Place here has been shut for regular applications as part of an ongoing process for transition to the new Passport Seva Project under which new Passport Seva Kendras have been set up in the National Capital Region.
While the RPO would for the time being accept only Tatkal applications, the new centres have been set up at District Centre, Shalimar Place, in North-West Delhi; MM Tower at Udyog Vihar in neighbouring Gurgaon; and Pacific Business Park, Sahibabad, in neighbouring Ghaziabad. “The Ghaziabad PSK will initially cater to applicants falling under the jurisdiction of Delhi RPO. Subsequently, on completion of upcoming PSK at ITO (New Delhi), Ghaziabad PSK will be servicing applicants falling under the jurisdiction of Ghaziabad RPO only. This transition is likely to take around three months,” states the government website.
The applicants can submit fresh forms at District Passport Counters being operated by the Delhi Police at Asaf Ali Road, Laxmi Nagar and Nehru Place on the old system. However, Tatkal applicants and requests for Emigration Check Not Required would not be entertained at these centres.
Under the new scheme, all kinds of application -- including Tatkal – will be accepted at PSKs. Only application with prior appointment will be processed at PSK. Walk-in applicants will be allowed only in emergency/medical cases. “Applicants are not required to paste their photograph on the application form for applications submitted at PSK/Mini-PSK. It will be captured by a Citizen Service Executive (CSE) posted there,” said an official.
Applicants can also apply online through www.passportindia.gov.in and scanned copies of supporting documents can be uploaded online. Online appointment has been made mandatory to walk into PSK for further processing. The applicants would be required to note down the Application Reference Number of the online form and take a printout of the appointment schedule.
Besides, applications for Diplomatic and Official Passports only can be submitted at RPO/PO. As part of the decentralisation process, the RPO at Bhikaji Cama Place would from now on primarily supervise operations of the centres falling under its jurisdiction. A toll-free enquiry number -- 1800 258 1800 – has been set up for those applying under the Passport Sewa system.
