Tripura MP Biplab Deb Flags Passport Delays Despite 2.36 Lakh Issued in last 10 Years

Agartala: Despite a surge in passport issuance in Tripura, pending applications remain a concern for many residents. Government data shows that over the last decade, more than 2.36 lakh passports have been issued in the state, yet as of March 7, 2025, a total of 148 applications are still pending.

The issue came to light after the former Chief Minister and current Lok Sabha MP from Tripura, Biplab Kumar Deb raised a question in the Lok Sabha. In response, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh shared detailed data on passport issuance and the status of applications in the state.

According to the minister, “A total of 2,36,444 passports have been issued in Tripura between 2016 and 2025.” The highest number was recorded in 2023, with 37,153 passports issued, indicating a growing demand. However, he acknowledged that pending applications continue to be processed on a priority basis.

Tripura currently has one Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) in Agartala under the Kolkata Regional Passport Office (RPO) and one Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) in Dharmanagar. With rising demand, the state has been seeking better infrastructure and additional centres. On the possibility of new centres, the minister stated, “The Ministry of External Affairs, in collaboration with the Department of Posts, has been working to set up more Post Office Passport Seva Kendras in constituencies where none exist.” However, the decision depends on “factors like the number of applications and distance from existing centres.”

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Many applicants in Tripura, especially from rural and remote areas, face difficulties due to the lack of multiple passport centres. People from districts like Dhalai, Khowai, and South Tripura have to travel long distances to Agartala or Dharmanagar for verification and document submission. This travel often involves additional expenses and time-consuming bureaucratic hurdles, causing inconvenience, particularly for students, professionals, and those seeking employment abroad.

The significant increase in passport applications in recent years reflects a growing trend of Tripura residents travelling abroad for education, employment, and tourism. The highest number of passports issued in a single year was 37,153 in 2023, indicating a post-pandemic recovery in international travel.

However, with demand rising, challenges such as delays in police verification, appointment scheduling issues, and logistical bottlenecks at existing centres have emerged. Applicants often face extended waiting periods, particularly when technical issues or staff shortages slow down processing. Additionally, those requiring urgent passports for medical treatment, education, or work-related travel have raised concerns about the efficiency of the current system.

To address delays and improve accessibility, the Ministry of External Affairs has been expanding its digital services and automation in passport processing. The introduction of the mPassport Seva app has allowed applicants to track their application status, book appointments, and access guidelines easily. However, internet connectivity issues in rural areas have limited its reach.

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The government has also been reviewing the feasibility of setting up more passport service centres. According to the minister, “The opening of new Passport Kendras in various states, including Tripura, is an ongoing activity. It depends on factors such as the distance from existing Passport Kendras and the volume of applications from a particular region.”

While the presence of both a PSK in Agartala and a POPSK in Dharmanagar has improved passport accessibility in Tripura, many residents continue to struggle with long wait times, travel challenges, and processing delays. With a rising number of people applying for passports, there is an urgent need for better infrastructure, faster verification processes, and additional passport service centres to meet growing demand.

The Ministry of External Affairs’ ongoing digital initiatives and proposed expansion of passport services could help resolve these issues in the future, but for now, applicants in Tripura continue to face hurdles in obtaining their passports efficiently.