Demonetisation blues: Month later, gruelling wait in long queues outside banks, ATMs continues

Most people complained about the limited availability of the Rs100 and Rs500 notes and the problems they faced in receiving change while making payments using Rs,2000 note

Though it’s been a month since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation of Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes, the common man is still yearning for relief from the serpentine queues outside banks and ATMs.

Peole queue outside Saraswat Bank in Antop Hill even before it was opened. (Kunal Patil)

With people lining up outside banks and ATMs as early as 8am, long lines were seen in various areas of the city, including Wadala, Sion, Parel and Antop Hill, and has become a daily affair.

Majority of those waiting in the queues complained about the limited availability of the Rs100 and Rs500 notes and the problems they faced in receiving change while making payments using Rs,2000 note, which most ATMs are dispensing at the moment. The scenario is the same across all the suburbs and the peripheral areas.