Asansol, Feb. 28: Union minister Babul Supriyo today inaugurated Bengal's first Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) in Asansol town.

The POPSKs, a joint venture between the external affairs ministry and the department of posts, are being set up across the country to provide easy and fast passport service to people.

"I had promised to set up a POPSK in Asansol to help people get their passports without having to go to Calcutta. Now, the people of Asansol and its neighbouring areas can get their passports and renew the existing ones from here. I am grateful to Sushma Swaraj ji (external affairs minister) for fulfilling my wish," Supriyo said after inaugurating the POPSK.

The Narendra Modi government has decided to start POPSK at 56 post offices across the country, including four in Bengal.

People applying for a passport can submit their documents for verifications at the POPSKs. The interviews of applicants will also be held at the POPSKs.

Officials present at the inaugural said the other three POPSKs in Bengal would come up at the head post offices in Krishnagar in Nadia, Raiganj in North Dinajpur and on Beadon Street in Calcutta.

Bengal's chief postmaster-general, Arundhaty Ghosh, and the regional passport officer in Calcutta, Bibhuti Bhushan Kumar, were also present at the programme.