TURA: Long queues with angst writ large on the faces of hundreds of customers at the few operational ATMs of the State Bank of India seem an unlikely sight during the festive season. Yet this is just one of those routine handicaps that people in Garo Hills often have to cope with.
Along with power cuts and poor connectivity that plague this region, this was like the last nail in the coffin especially in this festive season as it has played a spoilsport for the people looking forward to celebrate the Christmas.
Citizens of Garo Hills, particularly those living in Tura, are once again facing the seasonal disruption in the money chain as the festive season draws near.
Since the last few days, in the run up to the biggest celebration of Garo Hills, people have been unable to withdraw their salaries and savings due to lack of hard cash in several ATMs of the SBI.
On Wednesday, customers had to turn away from the Araimile branch of the ATM unable to withdraw any money. Bank officials claimed it was due to link disruption that prevented the cash flow.
The situation has since further deteriorated in other ATMs across town.
By Thursday evening cash had run out of the SBI ATMs at some of the busiest centres of Tura town — ATM at the main SBI branch, the Chandmari branch ATM, the Municipal Market ATM among others.
The ATM installed at the Deputy Commissioner’s office has been non-functioning for the last many weeks with no end in sight of any restoration.
Long queues of anxious customers could be found at the few ATM slots still able to do business. The ATMs at Sundari hotel and opposite Thakurbari point were jam packed with customers eager to withdraw their savings.
There is apprehension that the situation could further deteriorate once the large number of government employees and other services get their salaries credited into their accounts in time before Christmas.
To make matters worse, the banks would soon be going shut for the holidays and the million dollar question in the minds of everyone is as to who will monitor or refill the empty trays of the ATM cash slots.
Attempts to contact the regional SBI office in Tura were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered on Thursday.