AGARTALA, Nov 22 (TIWN): The much awaited project of opening an international passport centre at Tripura might get delayed as there is not much visible progress in the process of setting up a international passport centre. Talking to TIWN correspondent on Sunday Tripura BJP Maha Jansampark Observer Biplab Deb said that the probability of opening the International Passport Centre at Tripura is high and will be set up by the end of this month. He also said that, he will hold talk with External affairs Minister Shushma Swaraj’s private secretary Satish Gupta soon for further confirmation regarding the opening of the passport centre at Tripura. If everything falls in the correct place the new international passport centre may be inaugurated by the end of the November at Agartala, confirmed BJP Leader Biplab Deb.However, it is to be mentioned here that the decision of opening a new International Passport Centre at Agartala was conveyed to him when he met External affairs Minister Shushma Swaraj’s private secretary Satish Gupta and for further confirmation he will again held talk with Satish Gupta soon, added Biplab Deb. BJP Leader Biplab Deb further said that, Union Ministry has approved the proposal of setting up an international passport centre at Agartala and the probability of setting up the office by November is high.

According to the officials, except Guwahati there is no passport office in Northeast region but Tripura Passport Seva has been under Kolkata Regional Passport office because of better communication with Kolkata and the state government's choice.

However, the state had been demanding for an international passport centre in Agartala following growing demand of passport and high frequency of abroad travel by the people of the state.

It is to be mentioned here that after withdrawn of Indo-Bangladesh passport service, pressure for international passport has increased in many folds in Tripura and it has become inconvenient for the citizen to pursue for passport after submission of online applications. Moreover, Passport issuing authority is also facing trouble to get in touch with the applicants for immediate query but delay in communication in both side has ultimately interrupt the process.

Once the passport international office is opened at Agartala, people can get their passport within 20 days.  Currently the people of the state are facing huge trouble as there is no particular office for verification and hence the process gets delayed every time and sometimes the application is also cancelled. A passport is one of the most important forms of identification a person can possess. It is important to have a passport if you plan to travel to a different country so that you will be able to prove who you are and where you are from. Since travel security measures have increased it is almost impossible to travel without a passport.