Indian expats are demanding that their embassy open a facility in an easily accessible area of Doha where some of their consular requirements can be handled.

The demand came after Gulf Times reported on Thursday that the embassy would move from its present location in Al Hilal to Onaiza in West Bay area.

The community members said there were some consular services which can be handled only by the embassy and not by the Indian Cultural Centre.

For instance, services such as obtaining children's passports (for those below 18 years), attestation of documents (including death-related papers) and power of attorney are currently handled only at the embassy, and the applicants or their representative should submit documents or receive them in person from the mission.

Even though some of the community members have hailed the decision to shift the embassy to a new location as a 'welcome step,' they wondered if it would go down well with a large number of their compatriots.

They said the economically weaker sections would be forced to spend large sums of money on taxis to reach the embassy's proposed new location, which has no public transport access.

The present location in contrast is within walking distance of public bus stations. Some community members also doubted if the new premises of the embassy would have adequate space for visitors’ parking.