NEW DELHI: In a bid to strengthen growing India-United States relations, the U.S. Embassy is all set to expand its facilities in Chennai by opening up six additional interviewing windows by April next. There are also plans to open up a new consulate in Hyderabad in 2008.

"A new pre-screening facility will be put in place in Chennai. These will double the number of interviewing windows. We are trying to identify bottlenecks and put in resources so that they don't restrain our capacity," said Peter G. Kaestner, minister-counsellor for consular affairs, at a press conference here on Friday.

An important consulate for the U.S. Embassy, Chennai leads the list in the number of visas issued.

More aspirants

The number in the last fiscal year was 1,43,573 compared with 95,000 in Delhi. With Chennai being the closest to the IT hub in Bangalore, the city sees many professionals applying to go to America for a short term.

"That is why we are opening a consulate in Hyderabad. There is a backlog of visas from Chennai. It is now possible for anyone in Chennai to apply in Mumbai or Delhi," said Mr. Kaestner.

Renovation project

Apart from expanding in the South, the Embassy also has a $20 million renovation project in Delhi that will double the size of the current section and add 10 new visa interviewing windows. The consulate in Kolkata will also have double the workspace in the next year. Officers have also tried to clear the 90,000 backlog of visas that had accumulated in India and the Embassy has tried to make an effort to clear the backlog from September by roping in more hands.

"The capacity we had was not enough to cater to the Indian people. Ambassador David Mulford had made a mission-wide commitment to eliminate the lengthy backlog for a visa appointment. Washington sent 12 officers to India. These officers have gone back for the holidays and in January 18 officers will come in," he pointed out.

No guarantee

While getting an appointment within a two-week period might not still be guaranteed, Indians are definitely flocking to the U.S. in droves. The number of temporary visas issued in the fiscal 2006 (that ended on September 30) was 3,58,734, which is a14 per cent increase over the last year.

Foreign students

And much in demand, India has the largest number of foreign students in America. With a 32 per cent increase from the previous year, 24,622 students received visas in the fiscal 2006.

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