Patna, July 1: For passport applicants in Patna, good news has just arrived.

The Patna police today announced that the verification of the applications by cops would now be completed in 21 days.

On the other hand, the police in Patna have become the first in Bihar to have a fully dedicated website for its foreign section.

The website www.fro.patnapolice.com will have all information regarding the status of passport applications issued from Patna, details on the foreign nationals visiting the state capital and also status of passport applications of people of the state capital living in different parts of the country.

The renovated swanky office for the foreign section, was inaugurated today by Patna senior superintendent of police Alok Kumar, who is also the foreigner’s registration officer (Fro) for Patna.

“Patna police have now become the first in the state to have a fully online foreign office. The website will have many features which will save people’s time and will be an absolutely hassle-free service. People will have to log on to the website and enter the file number of their passport application and all information will be made available to them,” Alok said.

He added: “The website is still under-construction and people will also have the facility to key-in their names instead of the file number for the information. The police will be evolving a system under which the police verification regarding a passport will be completed in a matter of 21 days and will be then sent back to the passport office.”

Sanjay Kumar Pandey, police inspector-cum-in-charge of the passport section said that many applicants have to go to different offices and police stations in order to know the status of their applications.

“This website will help them. They will have to key-in the file number and can know the status of the application. They will not have to run from pillar to post from now on,” Pandey said.

Moreover, Patna residents staying outside the state and have applied for a passport will also benefit from it.

“When a resident of Patna staying in some other state applies for a passport, the administration of that state sends the police in Patna the application with regard to the verification of the permanent address of the applicant. This has been a cause of concern, as many a time the applications are either not received or are misplaced and applicants have to spend fortune to run to Patna and back wanting to know the status. These people will just have to key-in the file number and all information will be made available to them,” Pandey said.

Another important move is with regard to the foreign nationals coming to Patna.

“Any foreign national visiting any place in India has to come to the SSP’s office and register in 14 days. The SSP in any district holds the position of the Fro. With the foreigner’s coming, their details will be uploaded on the website and that server is connected to that of the Union home ministry. So the home officials, if they want information about a foreign national can put the passport number and will get all information as to where he/she is staying in Patna,” the officer said.