New Delhi:
People struggled on Thursday to get their old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes exchanged at bank counters across the country. Long queues were seen outside banks as they opened after a day's off.
Though banks had ensured customers about adequate arrangements, the long queues led to chaos and unruly scenes at many places.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on Tuesday of demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, banks remained closed on Wednesday while ATMs had been ordered to close for two days. The ATMS will start operating from Friday.
The government had issued specific guidelines for people as to where the old currency can be used but to no avail due to unwillingness shown by fuel stations, dairy booths, chemists and private hospitals
Here are the developments from major cities:
New Delhi
Long queues were seen outside banks and at RBI counters in Delhi for replacement of old Rs 500 and 1,000 notes. Banks have made additional arrangements for exchanging cash and deposit of old high denomination notes in order to handle heavy rush.
Mumbai
Serpentine queues were seen outside banks in country's industrial capital Mumbai as people jostled to get lower denomination currency and new banknotes to pay for their daily basic needs. Mumbaikars started queueing up as early as 6am in the morning, nearly 3-4 hours before the banks open. Several bank officials said most of the branches were witnessing unprecedented huge rush and therefore, they have sought the deployment of police personnel to deter any unwarranted circumstances.
Jaipur
Unprecedented traffic jams and long queues outside banks were witnessed in Jaipur too. Despite opening multiple counters, bank struggled to manage the heavy rush. Customers complained about too many formalities at banks.
Patna
Almost all petrol pumps in Patna were flooded with people who wanted to encash their old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes. The banks also witnessed an unusually heavy footfall that led to chaotic scenes.
Jammu
People struggled to encash their old currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 in Jammu too where long queues were seen at banks and petrol pumps. However, customers were left frustrated due to inediquate arrangements at banks and flat denial to exchange the old currency at fuel stations.
Ahmedabad
Hundreds of people thronged bank branches since early morning in different parts of Gujarat to exchange the now-invalid Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. Long queues were seen outside all bank branches in the state as several of them started dispensing new notes, while several others awaited the arrival of new notes. Post offices were yet to receive the new notes and people who went to get their old notes exchanged were only given Rs 100 and Rs 50 denominations notes.
Overcrowded fuel stations
Chaos and confusion prevailed at petrol, diesel and CNG stations too as customers made a beeline seeking to pocket smaller currencies. Many stations put up temporary closure boards, citing "technical issues". People complained that fuel pump operators flatly denied to give back change and asked them to buy fuel for Rs 1000 if they are carrying that amount.
