Congress demands Regional Passport Office in Mangaluru to ease coastal, Malnad applicants’ burden

Congress demands Regional Passport Office in Mangaluru to ease coastal, Malnad applicants’ burden

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 12, 2026: Dakshina Kannada District Congress Labour Cell president Lawrence D’Souza has urged the Union Government to establish Karnataka’s second Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Mangaluru at the earliest to address the difficulties faced by people from coastal and Malnad districts in accessing passport services.

Speaking at a press conference at the District Congress Office, D’Souza said the Passport Seva Kendra in Mangaluru receives an average of 600 applicants every day from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu and Hassan districts.

However, applicants are forced to wait for hours due to a shortage of staff, limited space, inadequate seating and insufficient infrastructure, he alleged.

The centre, spread across around 2,500 to 2,800 square feet, is handling a daily load of nearly 600 applications. Senior citizens, children and women are particularly affected by the lack of adequate facilities. He also pointed out that the photocopy centre does not have a digital payment facility.

D’Souza said Karnataka currently has only one Regional Passport Office, resulting in an excessive workload. He urged the Union Government to establish a second RPO in Mangaluru and strengthen the centre by providing additional staff and infrastructure.

He also appealed to the Dakshina Kannada MP to take up the issue and ensure that the demand is addressed.

Congress leaders Shubhash Chandra, Wahab and Prakash, among others, were present at the press conference.