Rain-Related Backlog Triggers Long Queues at Ahmedabad’s Bapunagar Passport Office

Long queues and extended waiting times have been reported at the Passport Seva Kendra in Ahmedabad’s Bapunagar, where applicants say rain-related disruptions have created a backlog that has yet to be fully cleared.

According to applicants, passport office operations were affected for two to three days after heavy rains in Ahmedabad on July 23 and 24, leading to a pile-up of pending appointments.

Applicants waiting hours despite appointments

Several applicants said they were being called for appointments in large numbers, resulting in overcrowding at the office and long waiting times.

Many reported that even after reaching the office on time, they had to wait one-and-a-half to two hours before their turn was called.

Applicants seeking both new passports and renewals said they had been forced to spend several hours at the office despite having confirmed appointments.

Backlog yet to be cleared

People waiting at the office said appointments that were delayed because of the rain disruption had not been cleared even after several days.

Some applicants alleged that cases pending for two to four days were still awaiting processing nearly ten days later.

The crowd outside the office has also increased, with applicants arriving from around 9 am to secure their place in the queue.

Seating shortage adds to inconvenience

Applicants said the waiting area inside the office was unable to accommodate the large number of visitors.

As a result, some people were reportedly sitting on the floor outside the office premises while waiting for their appointments.

The delays have added to the inconvenience faced by applicants, particularly those who had paid passport fees and expected their applications to be processed according to the scheduled appointment time.