In a significant move blending urban mobility with citizen services, the Passport Seva Kendra at Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) Metro Station was inaugurated on Tuesday, marking the first time in India a metro station has become the address for a passport centre. This innovative step, alongside the launch of a facility in Raidurg, signals Hyderabad's push to streamline passport services amid surging demand. Telangana IT and Industries Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu, in a parallel event, called on the Union Government to sanction yet another Passport Seva Kendra to keep pace with the city's explosive growth.

The Passport Kendra at MGBS Metro, unveiled by Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, promises unprecedented accessibility. "This is a game-changer for the Old City and beyond," Prabhakar declared. Strategically located at the bustling metro and bus hub, it slashes travel hassles for millions, enabling seamless bookings and verifications. Officials predict a surge in slot allotments, rising from 750-1,200, as commuters can now apply enroute. Prabhakar urged swift police verifications, underscoring transparency and speed in line with national regulations.

Simultaneously, the Raidurg Passport Seva Kendra was inaugurated by Minister Sridhar Babu at the Siri Building in the IT corridor. This relocation from Tolichowki addresses the deluge of applications in Hyderabad's IT corridor. "Hyderabad is sprawling in all directions, with our population booming," Babu noted. Nationally, over one crore fresh passports are issued yearly, and Telangana claims a robust 11 lakh – ranking the state fifth in the country. Hyderabad's main office mirrors this prowess, holding the fifth spot nationally.

These openings stem from strategic relocations: the Ameerpet centre, once at Aditya Trade Centre, has shifted to MGBS Metro, while Tolichowki moves to Raidurg. Effective September 16, these changes, as per Regional Passport Officer J. Snehaja, aim to curb waiting times, enhance infrastructure, and serve the swelling applicant pool – especially IT professionals and students eyeing global opportunities.

Telangana's passport centres exemplify efficiency. Once mired in months-long delays, passport processing now wraps up in three days, thanks to Telangana Police's model verification system. "We're harnessing technology for transparent, doorstep-like services," Sridhar Babu said, spotlighting the state government's citizen-centric ethos.

The events drew dignitaries including MPs Asaduddin Owaisi, Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, MLC Mahender Reddy, MLA Arikepudi Gandhi, and Secunderabad RPO Snehaja.