Call for new Passport Seva Kendra in North Bengaluru gains momentum

The demand for a third Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) in Bengaluru has gained traction, with Union Minister of State for Labour, Employment, and MSMEs, and Bengaluru North MP, Shobha Karandlaje, formally urging the Ministry of External Affairs to take action.

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Currently, Bengaluru operates two PSKs—in Lalbagh and Marathahalli—both of which have reportedly been struggling to manage the increasing volume of applicants. Citizens from northern parts of the city often face long wait times and significant delays in availing passport-related services. The surge in demand has caused operational strain at these centres, resulting in overcrowding and extended processing durations.

In an official communication to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Karandlaje pressed the need for a new facility in northwestern Bengaluru. Such an addition, she emphasized, would streamline operations and ease pressure on the existing centres. A third PSK would not only offer greater accessibility to residents in the northern areas but also improve overall efficiency in services like new passport applications, renewals, and documentation updates.

With North Bengaluru witnessing rapid urban expansion and population growth, local stakeholders believe the city’s infrastructure must keep pace, particularly in areas of essential citizen services. The proposal is now under consideration by the Ministry of External Affairs, and residents await a decision that could significantly improve passport service accessibility in the region.