Ahmedabad: The Regional Passport Office (RPO) in the city witnessed a record number of applications in the year 2023, amounting to 8.79 lakh. Out of these, it also processed 8.52 lakh or 98% of applications in the same year.

Official data reveals a notable 35% increase in applications received by the Ahmedabad RPO from 2022. During this period, the monthly average of applications rose to 72,522, compared to 53,609 in 2022.

Despite a shortage of staff, department officials reported working on 38 public holidays and Saturdays to ensure the timely issuance of passports. The wait time for a regular passport was 12 days, while passports under Tatkal were issued the next day.

Abhijit Shukla, the Ahmedabad RPO, acknowledged the unexpected surge, stating that while a 10% annual increase is typical, this year’s exceptional circumstances led to heightened demand. Anticipating stabilization in 2024, Shukla expects a more modest 10% increase, attributing the current surge to the lower application numbers in 2020 and 2021. DeshGujarat