Frustrating experience for the passport renewal in Kolkata

It has been 10 years since I got my passport made and its validity expires on Feb 14 this year. Since I am staying in Kolkata for the past 2 years, I decided to do so in the city itself. Though, rules allow me to apply in Mumbai too (as that is my permanent address) but verification and all would have been a pain as my stay in Mumbai never exceeds a week.

When I inquired about the process and expected time for Kolkata, I discovered that I don't have enough time to go through the normal application route and it would be great if I use the tatkal scheme. Though it is 1000 bucks, I hoped that atleast I will have my new passport in no time! After getting all the formalities from my end (which were lotsa), I went to the passport office today morning.

Though the counter opens at 10 in the morning, apparently there is a token system for the tatkal ones which as the site suggested will begin from 9 am. After leaving the campus at 7 in the morning, I finally reached the passport office at around 0820. Upon reaching there, I was just flabbergasted by what I saw. There was atleast a 500 m long line already made for the submission of applications. I went to the main gate and tried to know about the tatkal token thing. I was told that I need to be a part of this line only and it will be done in some time. Well, I waited for 15 minutes or so when 2-3 people around me told me to go and check near the gate only for tatkal. Then I met a 'middleman' who was offering 'services' at a 'service charge' of Rs. 1,000/- and 'guaranteed' me the passport being processed itself. Well, he also confirmed that tatkal people need to be at the gate. I went there at around 0850 and found a policeman writing names of people who were there for the tatkal process.

I got my name written and the serial number was 80 and then came the revelation which left me astonished to say the least !!! There is some arbit rule which says that only the first 60 people are allowed for tatkal! So, at 9 am 60 people were let in and others were told to wait. At around 0940, 8 more people were lucky to let in as maybe some of the people let in initially did not have proper documents or something. At 10 when all counters are open, it was declared that no more tatkal applications will be accepted and they can leave for the day.

I investigated on how this token 'actually' works and to my horror I came to know token number starts from 7 in the evening of the previous day!!! And people spent the WHOLE NIGHT waiting outside the passport night.

How screwed up is that a system! A person ready to pay extra for a service and for something as critical as a passport has to go through such pains. As for me, I am letting my passport expire and will apply in Mumbai only once I am done with my course at IIM Calcutta.