The Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Kolkata has launched a major initiative to tackle the backlog of passport applications. In a significant move to expedite services, the office has announced it will hold a series of six special passport adalats throughout the month of January.
Schedule and Daily Capacity of the Adalats
The dedicated passport adalats are scheduled for specific dates in January. Applicants can avail of these special services on January 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, and 29. All adalats will be conducted at the RPO Kolkata premises. Each day, the office plans to accommodate a substantial number of applicants, with a daily cap set at 800 individuals.
Appointment Slots and Distribution
The processing will be organized through a structured appointment system spread across five time slots between 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM. The distribution of the 800 daily appointments is designed to manage crowd flow efficiently. The largest block of 300 appointments is allocated for the first slot of the day. The second slot will handle 200 applicants, while the remaining three slots will each accommodate 100 applicants.
Important Instructions for Applicants
Applicants must note crucial operational changes on the adalat dates. To ensure smooth and focused processing during these special drives, the RPO has stated that telephone enquiry services and walk-in appointments will remain suspended on all six days. This underscores the importance of securing a prior appointment through the official channels to avail of the adalat facility.
This initiative by the Kolkata RPO is a targeted response to clear long-pending applications and reduce wait times for citizens. It provides a dedicated window for those who have faced delays in the standard processing queue, offering a faster route to passport services.
