Heavy rush of applicants for passports in Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada: As Covid-19 cases dip and curbs get eased for global travel, submission of applications for passports has gone up to 2,400 per day as against the earlier 1,000-1,500 at 24 passport seva kendras and post office PSKs in Andhra Pradesh.

Before the first wave of coronavirus pandemic, passport authorities used to receive around 2,500 applications every day. However, the offices remained closed for sometime during the lockdown. The second wave reduced the number of applications to a maximum of 1,500 a day.

As AP witnesses a drastic fall in daily caseload of coronavirus and with many countries opening up international travel, a good number of students and employees are lining up at passport offices. This has gained further momentum in the last few days.

Meanwhile, in order to curb the menace of agents and bogus websites, passport authorities have clarified that they have not authorised any agent or any website to receive applications. They have urged people to visit the official website ‘www.passportindia.gov.in’ to book appointment slots in their respective passport office. Applicants have been asked to apply after downloading ‘mPassportseva’ App on their smartphones.

Regional passport officer D.S.S. Srinivasa Rao said “Submission of applications for passports across the state has gone up to 2,400 a day. We advise people to apply only on the official website or app and approach the police in case they are charged an excess fee by agents or bogus websites.”