Scramble for cash as ATMs open

There was a manic rush to withdraw cash across banks and automatic teller machines (ATMs) centres in Mumbai as latter opened on Friday morning – two days after the government banned Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes.

There was a manic rush to withdraw cash across banks and automatic teller machines (ATMs) centres in Mumbai as latter opened on Friday morning – two days after the government banned Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes.

But long winding queues to withdraw cash stayed.

“I stood in a bank queue for two hours yesterday, but the cash ran out. I have just Rs100 left with me for travel and food,” said Makrand Joshi, a salesman with consumer goods firm. The rush was similar inside corporate parks where some ATMs where scheduled open post noon. “I visited at least four ATMs on my way to work. None of them were open. I am barely left with any cash to get back home,” said Sabrish Nair, an executive with an insurance firm.