Demonetisation: ATMs run dry of cash, Delhiites of patience

NEW DELHI: Impatience, disappointment and anger prevailed as people in the national capital continued to face hardship in exchanging demonetised currency notes and withdrawing money on a Sunday and struggled to procure essentials to meet daily needs.

People in large numbers queued up outside Banks and ATMs to get cash. Heated arguments were exchanged as cash in the ATMs and banks- and patience among public- ran dry as the day drew to an end.

Security was beefed up outside bank branches, after there were rumours about stampede, people plundering goods from a mall in Seelampur yesterday.

"Since it's a Sunday, we expected more crowds outside banks and ATMs. We made adequate security arrangements to ensure no untoward incident occurs," said a senior police official.

To manage anxious crowds, as many as 3,400 personnel of paramilitary and Delhi Police along with 200 quick reaction teams have been deployed at ATMs and banks.

"I didn't get a chance to exchange the banned Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes despite it being my off day. I reached the bank at around 2.30 PM and there was a long queue waiting for their turn to come. I waited till 4.20 pm and returned empty handed," said visibly disappointed Ranbjit Mallick, a resident of Lajpat Nagar.

Also Read: Demonetisation: Old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes now illegal, live news reports and developments

At many places, people were seen running from one ATM to other as the machines got cash-strapped.

Yesterday, there were rumours about stampede, people plundering goods from a mall in Seelampur, and police urged people not to spread rumours and warned of strict actions.

A 68-year-old Manoj Singh expressed his frustration saying he was completely out of cash and had to borrow money from his neighbour.

"Even today there is no respite. I went to the bank and stood in the queue for sometime but then my legs began to hurt and I came back," he said.

Many people couldn't purchase milk, vegetables, medicines as they didn't have adequate Rs 100 notes.