Passport info offered via phone in AP

HYDERABAD: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (AP Circle), in association with Regional Passport Office, Hyderabad has launched passport information on phone service for the people of Andhra Pradesh. The National BJP President, Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated this service on January 10, 2004.

According to the press release, this service is available by dialing 1250 244 from any BSNL fixed-line phone, from any part of the state at anytime. The service offers information on how to apply for fresh passport, passport for minors, passports to students who are staying away from their parents, re-issue of passport, duplicate passport, tatkal scheme and other miscellaneous services such as ECNR (Emigration Clearance Not Required) stamps, etc.

Hyderabad telecom solutions company, VoiceGate Technologies India has designed and developed the software and system in association with RPO and BSNL. People from Hyderabad and Secunderabad can avail this service at local call charges (Rs 1.20 for a 3-minute call). Callers from out of twin cities would be charged standard 95-dialing tariff for this service.

"The aim of the service was to reach each and every citizen of Andhra Pradesh through an affordable channel of information. BSNL provided us an opportunity to do so when we entered into an agreement with BSNL for offering such services," MD of VoiceGate Technologies India Syed Mohammed said. "Now people from any part of the state can obtain the necessary information just by making a call to the system. There is no need to travel to and from the passport offices to obtain such information before applying for the passport and related services," he said.

(CyberMedia News Service)