AGARTALA, Nov 28 (TIWN): Minister of State for External Affairs General (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Singh is like to inaugurate the international passport centre at Tripura after the Municipal election.

Talking to TIWN correspondent on Friday, BJP Maha Jansampark observer Biplab Deb said that as the code of conduct is imposed in the state for the ensuing municipal the inauguration is being delayed.

He further said that in his latest conversation with External affairs Minister Shushma Swaraj, it is confirmed that the passport office will be opened just after the conclusion of the election in the state and Minister of State for External Affairs General (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Singh is likely to inaugurate the office.

The much awaited project of opening an international passport centre at Tripura is likely to inaugurate just after the completion of the election.

However, it is to be mentioned here that the decision of opening a new international passport centre at Agartala  was conveyed to BJP Maha Jansampark observer Biplab Deb  when he meet External affairs Minister Shushma Swaraj’s private secretary Satish Gupta at New Delhi. 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It is to be mentioned here that after withdrawn of Indo-Bangladesh passport service, pressure for international passport has increased in many folds in Tripura and it has become inconvenient for the citizen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.