Demonetisation: Queues shrink, but ATMs still running dry fast in Mumbai | Mumbai news - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Demonetisation: Queues shrink, but ATMs still running dry fast in Mumbai

Hindustan Times | ByAkash Sakaria, Mumbai
Dec 07, 2016 12:40 AM IST

Nearly a month after the demonetisation announcement, queues outside banks and ATMs are still a common sight but people said the situation had improved a little.

Nearly a month after the demonetisation announcement, queues outside banks and ATMs are still a common sight but people said the situation had improved a little. Some private banks managed to shorten the queues.

People queue up outside an SBI branch and ATM at Elphinstone Road in Mumbai on Tuesday.(Pratik Chorge/HT)
People queue up outside an SBI branch and ATM at Elphinstone Road in Mumbai on Tuesday.(Pratik Chorge/HT)

“We see a smooth queue here after a long time. I hope the year ends well. I have been waiting for 40 minutes and am almost inside,” said Rambha Keerti, a homemaker, who was found outside a bank in Mahim.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

There were similar scenes at cooperative banks with people managing to withdraw cash in less than an hour. Though these banks did not offer the cash that was promised to them under the new limit, people seemed to be at ease.

“Their services are better because the they have adequate staff for people waiting in queues. It has been almost a month now. They shouldn’t lack funds,” said Ramesh Bhave, who was waiting outside a bank in Dharavi.

Nationalised banks across the city continued to offer less than the Rs 24,000 cap announced by the government, dispensing money at their convenience instead.

People were angry with the arbitrariness but the queues had become shorter.

“How can banks have their own cap on dispensing money? First, the government will put a cap, then banks will do as they please. Where are we supposed to go?” said Karan Patel, a college student, who stood in a queue ouside a bank in Andheri.

ATM kiosks continued to run dry within hours after they were refilled. “It is almost as if money is vanishing from the machine. Every ATM kiosk has a queue,” said Ghanshyam Gosavi, a fruit vendor waiting in a queue at Dharavi.

“They (banks) should start ATMs only after they close their bank branches. People will get at least some relief after the banks pull their shutters down. Otherwise people are just roaming about on the streets to withdraw money,” said Ahmed Raza, a cycle shop owner, waiting in a long ATM queue in Kandivli.

Read

Demonetisation debate heats up winter session

Demonetisation after-effect: Mumbai temple gets Rs3 crore in scrapped notes

After demonetisation, Mumbai civic body takes steps to go cashless

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On