The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has introduced a walk-in facility for eligible applicants seeking passport, visa, attestation and other consular services at Alhind Tours and Travels centres across the UAE.

Walk-ins will be accepted from 9am to 1pm at all 16 Indian Consular Application Centres operated by Alhind.

The facility is available to:

• Tatkaal passport applicants
• Newborn cases
• Emergency Certificate applicants
• Senior citizens
• People of determination

The embassy has advised applicants to book appointments online whenever possible. Walk-in requests will be processed subject to available slots.

Alhind centres and appointments

Appointments can be booked online through the service portal. Regular service hours at the centres are 8am to 6pm.

Alhind charges a Dh19 service fee, including VAT, in addition to applicable Indian government fees. The fee covers services such as form filling, photographs, document typing, printouts, photocopies and domestic courier services.

Indian passport fees increased

Indian passport fees were increased from July 1, marking the first revision in 14 years.

For an ordinary fresh passport or reissue with 36 pages, the fee is now Dh96under the normal scheme and Dh190 under Tatkaal, up from Dh57 and Dh134 respectively.

For a 60-page passport, the new fees are Dh134 for normal applications and Dh230 for Tatkaal, compared with Dh78 and Dh153 previously.

The fee revision also applies to Indian nationals living overseas, with the corresponding charges set in local or applicable foreign-currency terms.

Dubai is expanding its push for cleaner urban deliveries, with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) rolling out an e-bike delivery service across 11 authorised locations in the emirate.

Designed for short-distance trips, the service aims to reduce dependence on conventional delivery vehicles while making last-mile deliveries more efficient and improving connections within busy communities and commercial areas.

The expansion follows a successful trial and adds seven more locations to the service.

Where the e-bike service is available

The newly authorised locations include:

• Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard
• Dubai Media City
• Al Twar 1
• Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT)
• Al Twar 2
• Al Qusais 1
• Dubai Marina

Faster, greener last-mile deliveries

The e-bike service gives delivery riders an alternative for shorter journeys, particularly in areas where larger vehicles can be less practical.

By supporting first- and last-mile connectivity, the initiative is intended to help riders move between delivery points more efficiently while easing reliance on conventional vehicles for short trips.

The rollout is part of Dubai’s broader drive to promote sustainable transport and smarter urban mobility. Expanding e-bike deliveries is expected to support a more efficient delivery network while contributing to the emirate’s longer-term environmental and mobility objectives.

Starting August 17, UAE motorists can begin registering for the Ministry of Interior’s annual Day Without Accidents campaign, which gives eligible drivers a chance to have four black points removed from their driving records.

The road-safety initiative will be held on August 31, the first day of the new school year, when traffic is expected to increase around schools and residential areas.

How to register

Drivers can register through a link shared on the Ministry of Interior’s official social media account, @MOIUAE.

They must scan the QR code on the campaign’s Instagram post and sign in using UAE Pass. Participants must agree to the campaign’s safety commitments, sign the pledge and comply with its terms and conditions.

Once registered, motorists will receive a participation certificate by email at the address linked to their UAE Pass.

How to remove black points

To have four black points cancelled from their records, drivers are expected to:

• Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
• Give way to pedestrians.
• Wear seat belts.
• Follow posted speed limits.
• Avoid mobile-phone use and other distractions while driving.
• Give priority to emergency vehicles.
• Stay within designated lanes.
• Ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before setting out.

What are black points?

Black points are penalties recorded against a driver’s licence for certain traffic violations. Depending on the offence, motorists can receive between four and 24 black points.

Reaching 24 points can lead to further legal action, including the possible confiscation or suspension of a driving licence.

Several offences carry four black points under UAE traffic regulations, including using a handheld mobile phone while driving, failing to wear a seat belt, driving against traffic, sudden swerving, dangerous reversing, failing to maintain a safe distance, driving with expired registration or licence, and using a vehicle with expired tyres.