GUWAHATI, July 14: In a major boost to citizen services in the Northeast, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) launched the Passport Seva Mobile Van Service under the initiative “Passport Seva Aapke Dwar”, aimed at ensuring last-mile delivery of passport and related services in rural and remote areas.
The service was formally inaugurated at Gauhati University by Dr. K.J. Srinivasa, IFS, Joint Secretary for the Passport Seva Project and Chief Passport Officer. The mobile van, described as a “one-stop shop,” will allow applicants from far-flung areas to complete the full passport application process without needing to travel to distant Seva Kendras.
Currently, six Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and 19 Post Office PSKs operate under the jurisdiction of the Regional Passport Office (RPO) Guwahati, covering six northeastern states. The introduction of the mobile service is seen as a significant step to extend services to underserved regions.
Dr. Srinivasa mentioned that each of the 37 RPOs across India has been equipped with one mobile van, with plans to scale this up to two or three in the future depending on demand. “This initiative reaffirms the MEA’s commitment to accessible, efficient and citizen-friendly services,” he said.
The launch ceremony was attended by senior officials from RPO Guwahati, TCS (technology partner), and Gauhati University. Dr. Srinivasa also engaged with key stakeholders, including Assam’s Director General of Police Harmeet Singh, ADGP Hiren Chandra Nath, and Chief Postmaster General Col. Arvind Varma, discussing ways to further streamline passport-related services.
During his Guwahati visit, Dr. Srinivasa inspected the RPO and PSK facilities, appreciating the efforts and integrity of the staff. He also called on Assam Governor Laxman Acharya and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to brief them on the success of the MEA’s passport delivery mechanisms. Both leaders expressed satisfaction and lauded the ministry’s commitment to timely and efficient public service delivery.
