The Regional Passport Office, previously known for quick processing, now has a backlog of 5,500 applications pending for over a month, causing major inconvenience for those with upcoming foreign trips.
Expedited passports are being processed quickly, with Tatkal appointments available after 15 days and passports issued within three days. However, regular passports are delayed due to technical issues. Regional Passport Officer Kshitij Gurav recommends applicants with urgent travel needs choose Tatkal services to avoid further delays.
The delays stem from new software introduced by TCS to streamline the passport application process. Launched as a pilot project in Nagpur and Bhubaneswar in April 2024, the software has encountered multiple operational challenges. While initial issues with police verification have been partially resolved, other technical glitches persist, significantly slowing down processing times.
Previously, regular passports were issued within 20 days and expedited ones in three days. Now, regular passport appointments are only available after 21 days, with additional delays caused by police verification and other procedural bottlenecks.
Applicants have also reported significant delays at the printing and lamination stages. Despite completing document verification and police checks, many applications remain stuck in the system for weeks.
These ongoing delays have disrupted travel plans, leaving applicants frustrated and urging the authorities to address the technical challenges promptly.