Nope. I visited the consulate this Friday, after numerous emails, they allowed me to attend the open house.
My application was sent to EO in Delhi but they handn’t heard back fo over 3 weeks.
The consulate is really backed up as passports are not the only thing they process. Its just an added service they provide. I was told that there’s no timeline they can give me as to when the passport will be issued.
Since I have to travel on India very soon (I cannot avoid this travel) and will be there for 6 weeks (atleast), i asked them for my passport back and withdrew the application.
I’ll get it renewed at the passport seva kendra in India while I’m there as my passport is valid till March 2022. The consulate suggested that it’ll probably be a better option for me as in India they can process application at a much faster pace and in case more info is required, they can quickly have you bring them documents & provide any clarifications.
PS:
If you don’t have to travel anytime soon, relax, the consulate is backed up, processing times in certain cases may be longer than usual.
If you do need to travel in the next 3-4 weeks and application is still “Granting Initiated”, I’d suggest contacting the consulate by emailing them daily.