Patna: A fully equipped Passport Seva Mobile Van, introduced under the Ministry of External Affairs’ “Passport at Your Doorstep” initiative, is expanding access to passport services across Bihar, particularly in districts without dedicated passport offices.
The air-conditioned mobile unit was handed over to the Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Patna on January 26, 2024. Since then, the RPO has organised 14 mobile camps across the state, processing more than 1,700 passport applications in areas where residents would otherwise need to travel long distances.
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Officials said the van functions as a complete passport facility on wheels, fitted with secure biometric capture systems and digital verification infrastructure. Applications are processed in real time through scheduled appointments and on-site document verification, designed to ensure transparency and efficiency.
RPO Patna currently oversees 39 passport offices in Bihar. The mobile camps have extended services to districts lacking permanent facilities, as well as to institutions and locations witnessing high demand for passport applications.
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Data from the camps show an equal gender ratio among minor applicants, with boys and girls each accounting for 50% of applications. Among adult applicants, 74% were male and 26% female, indicating growing participation by women.
Officials described the initiative as a result of coordination between the central government’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Bihar state government. Dedicated teams were deployed to liaise with district authorities, conduct document scrutiny, manage biometric capture and oversee passport grant procedures.
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The mobile camps have drawn applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including students seeking overseas education, first-time applicants, job seekers pursuing employment abroad and residents planning leisure travel. One applicant from Madhepura said the camp had saved him a full day of travel, allowing him to apply in his hometown.
To widen awareness, RPO Patna used social media and digital platforms to share information about camp schedules and eligibility requirements, reaching more than 5,000 citizens.
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Officials said the initiative reflects an effort to bring government services closer to citizens, particularly in underserved regions, and to create a more inclusive and technology-driven passport delivery system.
