I was able to get across to them yesterday but I called exactly at 8am and waited 30 minutes. It was however almost pointless because she only said what all the webforms have been saying
Please be advised that once you receive the passport request letter, you may proceed to the nearest visa application center to have the passport submitted.
I GOT THIS EMAIL FROM DELHI IMMIGRATION
I SENT THEM EMAIL YESTERDAY REGARDING MY APPLICATION IN IN PROCESS SINCE NOV 25
I think we can go and stamping visa from india.....
I did this in 2019 April when things were normal. I applied in Canada and when I got my passport request letter i went back home to India and submitted that to the nearest vfs facility with my passport and got it stamped in 5 days but then vfs was working normally and there was no covid. Possible if you do this now they won't accept. call your home country vfs and ask them.
there were no such requirements when I did. I just went to vfs in Mumbai with the passport request letter and got it stamped in 5 days. Covid might have change things now as you need to send your passport via courier to vfs. The best bet will be to contact vfs or the Canadian Indian embassy.