The local Passport Seva Kendra, located opposite All India Radio on MG Road, was opened to the public on Friday without any fanfare. A large number of applicants turned up at the office on the first day and formed a long queue to submit their applications.
The officials of the PSK accepted the applications submitted manually by the applicants in spite of the guidelines making it mandatory for prior online appointment. As the online services of Vijayawada PSK are not yet activated on www.passportindia.gov.in, the officials gave exemption to the applicants. The officials have refused to confirm whether these manual services will be extended till online services come into effect.
The applicants mostly came prepared to submit applications in the old format with the officials of PSK finding it difficult to explain to them the changed situation. In the morning session, only one official representing the Tata Consultancy Services was seen clearing the doubts of the people seeking issuance of passports. The TCS is the Government partner in rendering various passport related services through the PSKs.
The local officials were not able to provide clear information when an applicant sought to know whether tatkal applications could be accepted here on Friday. The reply was that the services were formally launched in Hyderabad and further information could be accessed by calling up Passport Seva toll-free number 1800-258-1800.
Timings
This is the only number to contact for any enquiry and information regarding PSK Vijayawada also.
The PSK will function from 9.50 a.m. to 5 p.m. on all days except Saturday and Sunday and holidays. Three to four officials of the Regional Passport Office and 10 to 12 employees of the TCS are involved in rendering services at this PSK.
Once the PSK comes into full functioning, the passport applications will not be accepted at the post offices and also at the eSeva centres but the centres at the police commissionerate and the district superintendent's office will continue to function.
