Punekars give their stamp of approval for the passport mela

Pune: As many as 556 passport applicants availed the passport mela held at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) on Saturday. The Regional Passport Office organised the mela to expedite the application process to ease the rush for the critical document.

The mela, held between 9 am and 4.30 pm at PSK, Mundhwa, processed applications of local and outstation applicants under the ‘normal’ category. Tatkal applications, based on verification certificates/Annexure ‘F’ and ‘Walk-in’ applicants were not entertained. The idea of passport mela initiated by the PSK has become a preferred time for applicants to get their work completed smoothly and quickly. Majority of the applicants looked satisfied with the facilities and the working of the passport mela and as they claimed it to be a good attempt to reduce the time taken to get done with the formalities.
Prakash Bhorde, (35), resident of Hadapsar said, “The process inside was smooth and fast. There were helpers available to guide us through the entire procedure. I am glad that I did not have to wait for a long time and I got my work done quickly.”
Jay Mehta (21), college student from Pimpri said, “I was trying to get the appointment online, however, I was unable to get the appointment. It was solely because of the mela that I could get my formalities cleared.”
PSK, Mundwa also processed applications of out station applicants. There were applicants from Lonavala, Sangli, Solapur were happy and content about the infrastructure, facilities and the reduced time taken to get their work done.
Dimple Mehta (36), resident from Lonavala, said, “The mela has reduced the crowd tremendously, allowing me to complete my formalities on time. The well planned infrastructure also made it easier for me to handle my baby boy who refused to leave the office after the completion of the formalities.”