Hyderabad: In a major relief for passport applicants facing appointment delays, the Regional Passport Office (RPO), Hyderabad, has announced a special passport drive on May 9, during which 4,000 new appointment slots will be opened across Telangana. The initiative aims to ease the growing rush for passport services, especially during the summer travel season.
According to Regional Passport Officer J. Snehaja, the special drive will be conducted across five Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) under Hyderabad jurisdiction, including Begumpet, MGBS Metro, Raidurg, Karimnagar, and Nizamabad. Of the total slots, 3,100 appointments will be available at Hyderabad-based PSKs, while 450 slots each will be allocated to Karimnagar and Nizamabad centres. The slots will be released online, allowing applicants to book or reschedule appointments through the official passport portal.
Officials said the decision has been taken in response to increased demand for passports ahead of the travel season, which has led to an appointment waiting period of around 8 to 12 days in several centres. The special drive is expected to significantly reduce the waiting time to approximately 5 to 7 days, improving access to services for applicants across the state.
The RPO has also confirmed that the Karimnagar Passport Seva Kendra, which was recently relocated, will see a major capacity expansion from 220 to 400 daily appointments starting May 4, further strengthening service delivery in the region. Officials believe this will help distribute applicant load more evenly and reduce congestion at Hyderabad centres.
The Hyderabad PSKs, including the unique MGBS Metro station-based passport centre, will play a key role in handling the majority of applications. The MGBS facility is India’s first passport office located inside a metro station and has been designed to handle large footfall with improved infrastructure and faster processing systems.
Authorities have also highlighted that Tatkal and emergency passport services will continue to be processed on priority, with same-day dispatch in genuine urgent cases. However, delivery will be done through registered postal services after issuance. Police verification will follow standard procedures, except in select Tatkal cases where post-issuance verification is carried out.
Officials further stated that the passport system has now transitioned to e-chip enabled passports, ensuring enhanced security and faster processing for both fresh and renewal applications. Applicants are encouraged to verify the expiry dates of their passports well in advance and avoid last-minute rush during travel planning.
The RPO has also issued updated contact information, including helpline numbers and email support, to assist applicants with queries related to booking, documentation, and application status. Authorities have urged citizens to make full use of the special drive and avoid delaying applications unnecessarily.
With this initiative, the Regional Passport Office aims to streamline services, reduce waiting times, and ensure smoother access to passport facilities across Telangana, especially during peak seasonal demand.
