Bengaluru gets mobile passport van service, bringing passport facility to doorsteps

New mobile passport unit launched to cut long queues and speed up document verification in the city

In a major relief for Bengalureans dealing with long queues and repeated visits to passport offices, the Regional Passport Office has launched a Mobile Passport Van service. According to officials and reports, the new facility aims to bring passport-related processes closer to citizens and significantly reduce rush at centres in Koramangala, Lalbagh and Marathahalli, which currently handle large volumes of applications.

The mobile unit functions as a fully equipped mini-passport centre, enabling residents to complete biometric capture, document verification and application processing without visiting the main office. The service currently operates every Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Vidhana Soudha, NIN Office Road and Yelahanka. Depending on citizen response, officials are preparing to expand the model across Karnataka.

Also Read:Karnataka plans OC relief for rural Bengaluru homes

Each van can process 40 to 50 applications a day, and initial estimates suggest that the initiative may support the delivery of up to 90,000 passports per month. The van is fitted with Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) chips, and the e-passport system includes an embedded antenna inside the back cover. This setup allows storage of personal details and biometric data securely, while a small gold-coloured symbol on the front identifies it as an e-passport. Officials say the enhanced security design will help prevent duplication and passport fraud.

Since the rollout of e-passports in April, over 6 lakh such passports have already been issued nationwide, reflecting growing demand for faster and more secure travel documents.

Also Read:Bengaluru flyers hit hard as IndiGo crisis pushes airfares to record highs

To use the new mobile passport service, applicants must apply through the Passport Seva website or mobile app and provide consent for DigiLocker verification. Only then will the Mobile Passport Van facility be enabled during booking.

The initiative is expected to ease the burden on Bengaluru’s busiest passport centres and offer quick, convenient access to essential government identity services right at citizens’ doorsteps.