Bihar Sees Surge in Passport Applications, Government Provides Land for Regional Office

Patna: The demand for passports in Bihar is rising rapidly, with 3.5 to 4 lakh passports being issued annually. In 2024 alone, 4,00,346 applications were received, and 3,86,820 passports were approved. To facilitate this growing need, the Bihar government is actively supporting the Union Ministry of External Affairs. Passport Seva Kendras have been established in 39 out of 40 Lok Sabha constituencies, covering almost all district headquarters. Additionally, the state government has allocated 1.5 acres of land in Gardanibagh, Patna, for the construction of a regional passport office, with the design finalization and construction process set to begin soon.

Valmikinagar (Bagaha) remains the only Lok Sabha constituency without a passport service center, but efforts are underway to establish one there. While Patna and Darbhanga have Passport Seva Kendras, other locations are served by Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK), which operate from district headquarters’ post offices. To ensure accessibility, the Regional Passport Office in Patna is providing district-wise information on these centers, enabling applicants to apply from their local areas instead of traveling to Patna or Darbhanga.

Several districts, including Siwan, Gopalganj, Patna, Purnia, Darbhanga, and Kishanganj, have a particularly high demand for passports. To expedite the process, the Regional Passport Office has deployed mobile van camps in these areas. Recently, such camps were set up in Siwan, Gopalganj, Purnia, Patna AIIMS, and IIM Bodh Gaya, processing around 160 applications in three days. Similar camps will continue to be organized based on application volume in different districts.

The number of passport applications in Bihar has more than doubled in the past five years. In 2020, 1,71,000 passports were issued, while in 2024, this figure surged to over 3,86,000. The pandemic led to a temporary decline in applications, but the overall trend shows a significant rise compared to previous years. In 2018, 2,57,000 passports were issued, indicating an increase of over one lakh in recent years.

Regional Passport Officer Swadha Rizvi stated that efforts are being made to ensure that people across all districts can apply for passports at their nearest service centers. With 39 Lok Sabha constituencies already covered and mobile camps deployed as needed, the aim is to make passport issuance more accessible and hassle-free for residents across Bihar.