Average passport verification time by Odisha police reduced to 4 days

Bhubaneswar: In a major achievement of Odisha police towards convenience of citizens, the average time for passport verification in the state has come down to four days.

Till earlier this year, Odisha police was taking a few weeks for the verification.

As per official data, average time for passport verification was 26 days in 2018, 2019 and 36 days in 2020 (delay due to COVID-19 pandemic). In earlier years, the average verification time was 99 days in 2017, 90 days in 2016 and 38 days in 2015.

“Earlier this year, Odisha police decided to bring substantial improvement in the verification time. The verification was taken as 5T initiative.  Tablets were purchased and distributed to each police station across the state. A specific application for passport verification was installed and Special Branch started guiding and monitoring passport verification more clearly,” said an official statement issued by Odisha police.

In August 2021, the average verification time was brought down to six days. In the first fortnight of September, the average time of passport verification by Odisha Police was further brought down to four days. This is among the best in the country, the statement read.

DGP Abhay appreciated the efforts of police station level officers, district SPs and Special Branch for bringing the improvement and giving people a hassle-free experience.