New Delhi: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a player in software technology, has gained the Passport Seva Project as it was considered as the 'best value bidder' by the ministry of external affairs. On account of the intent it received on July 23, TCS will launch a pilot project for the public-private initiative to improve passport services in two cities shortly. The project is reportedly worth Rs.10-15 billion.

According to a TCS official, work has already begun on the ambitious e-governance project, which aims at issuing a new passport within three days and shortening queue time. The average time now taken to issue fresh passports is 45 days and for re-issue is 15 days. "We are planning to first implement a pilot project in a couple of locations first," the official said.

TCS has chosen Bangalore and Chandigarh for the pilot project which will run for about eight months. After eight months of implementation, there will be three months of 'testing' to evaluate the system. The entire system has to be operational within 19 months of the contract being signed.

The contract agreement between the external affairs ministry and TCS is expected to be signed in the next few weeks. TCS has refused to reveal anything at this point. Though it has faced opposition from the passport employee's union and intelligence agencies. According to them, bringing in a private player will have serious implications for national security. "We are waiting for the announcement (of the contract) to decide the next step," a union leader told.

In September last year, the Union Cabinet approved The Passport Seva Project, as one of the 27 Mission Mode Projects listed in the national e-governance plan. This plan includes turning the current 36 regional passport offices into back-end offices and a private service provider setting up 68 facilitation offices. Based on the report by Hyderabad-based National Institute for Smart Government - a non-profit organization, eight companies submitted bids with regard to the tender.

TCS will charge a fee of about Rs.200 for each transaction. Within eight years, the number of passports issued is expected to be tripled from 2.2 million in 2000 to six million in 2008.