SIR Impact: Surge in Passport Applications, Appointments Now Available After 25 Days

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The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has led to a sharp rise in passport applications across Uttar Pradesh, significantly increasing the waiting period for appointments at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs). Where applicants earlier secured appointments within 10 to 15 days, the current waiting time has stretched to 20–25 days, officials said.

Passports are being widely used as a valid document during the SIR process to establish citizenship, prompting a rush among voters to apply. As a result, Passport Seva Kendras in Lucknow and other districts have been witnessing unusually heavy footfall over the past few days.

Under the jurisdiction of the Regional Passport Office (RPO), Lucknow, there are four Passport Seva Kendras and 32 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras, with the headquarters located in Gomti Nagar. On average, around 6,500 passport appointments are issued daily. However, the sudden spike in demand has put pressure on the system, leading to longer waiting periods.

Officials said voters are required to submit documents such as Aadhaar cards, passports, or electricity bills during the SIR process. The increased reliance on passports as proof has directly contributed to the surge in applications.

Applicants Travelling Up to 400 km

Many applicants are travelling distances of 300 to 400 kilometres to reach Lucknow for passport services. The RPO Lucknow caters to a large number of districts, including Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Ballia, Bahraich, Barabanki, Basti, Chandauli, Deoria, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Jaunpur, Kanpur Nagar, Kushinagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Prayagraj region districts, and several others, making it a major passport hub in the state.

Mobile Passport Van Launched

To ease the burden and provide relief to residents of remote areas, the Regional Passport Office, Lucknow, has introduced the Mobile Passport Van service. This initiative allows citizens to submit passport applications closer to their homes, reducing the need for long-distance travel.

As part of this effort, a special Passport Camp will be organised near the Panchayat Bhawan in Chirai Gaon, Varanasi, on January 20, 21, and 22. The camp will operate through the mobile van facility.

How to Book an Appointment

Regional Passport Officer Shubham Singh said that 50 general appointments will be available each day during the camp. Applicants can book their slots through the official portal, www.passportindia.gov.in, by selecting VAN-2 as the service centre. Applications will be processed on-site at the Panchayat Bhawan in Chirai Gaon via the mobile passport van.

Officials believe that such mobile initiatives will help manage the increased demand caused by the SIR process and ensure smoother delivery of passport services across Uttar Pradesh.