Memorandum Submitted for Establishing a Passport Center in Sundargarh
Sundargarh, 14 February 2025
A delegation comprising leaders from various political parties, led by the senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and representative of MLA Jogesh Kumar Singh, met with District Collector Manoj Satyaban Mahajan, IAS, at his office today. The delegation submitted a memorandum requesting the establishment of a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) at the Sundargarh Head Post Office to address the long-standing difficulties faced by residents of Sundargarh, Talsara, and Rajgangpur Assembly Constituencies in obtaining passports.
Challenges Faced by Residents
The memorandum emphasized that many families in the region have members working abroad or require passports for travel. However, due to the absence of a local passport center, they are compelled to travel to Rourkela, incurring significant expenses and facing administrative challenges, including delays and harassment at the existing passport office. The delegation highlighted the pressing need for a passport facility in Sundargarh to alleviate these hardships.
Why Sundargarh?
As the district headquarters, Sundargarh is home to key administrative and governmental institutions, including:
- The District Collector’s Office
- The District Court
- The Superintendent of Police’s Office
- Two Additional District Magistrates (ADMs)
- The Deputy Collector’s Office
- A Government Medical College & Hospital
And several other government departments
Given its central role in governance and administration, Sundargarh is the most suitable location for a Passport Seva Kendra, ensuring convenience for residents across the district.
Additional Infrastructure Demands
Apart from the demand for a passport center, the delegation also urged the reconstruction of the damaged intersection near State Bank Square and the development of a proper divider on the road leading towards Shankara Road for improved traffic management and safety.
Delegation and Key Signatories
The memorandum was submitted under the leadership of Senior BJD leader Sri Jay Narayan Tripathy, with the presence of several key figures, including:
- Benudhar Tandia – Former Municipal Chairman
- Anil Mahapatra – Councilor
- Kailash Tanty – Councilor
- Pankaj Shrestha – BJD Youth Leader
- Sanjay Pattnayak – Social Worker
- Arun Pruseth – Senior Congress Leader
- Devendra Singh - Senior Congress Leader
The memorandum also carried the signatures of several dignitaries, including:
- Kunti Pradhan – President, Zilla Parishad
- Tanaya Mishra – Chairperson, Sundargarh Municipality
- Baikuntha Nayak
- Hemant Meher
- Shivaji Nayak
- Parshu Saraph
- Nirmal Naik
- Subrata Naik
Conclusion
The delegation urged the District Collector to take immediate steps to establish a Passport Seva Kendra in Sundargarh and to initiate the necessary infrastructural developments. This move is expected to provide much-needed relief to thousands of residents, making passport-related services more accessible, cost-effective, and hassle-free.
The District Collector has acknowledged the memorandum, and further action is anticipated in due course.
