Port Blair, August 19, 2024 — Customers of the State Bank of India (SBI) in Aberdeen Bazar continue to face significant inconveniences due to ongoing issues with non-functional ATM and mPOS machines. Despite multiple reports by Aaptak News Team highlighting these problems, no substantial improvement has been observed in the service quality.
The main branch of SBI in Aberdeen Bazar, where mPOS machines have been out of service for the last two days, has become a source of frustration for many. The branch, which houses six ATM machines, frequently has at least half of them out of service due to technical issues, according to officials on site. This has led to long queues and delays, leaving customers struggling to access their funds.
One particularly frustrated customer explained the challenges faced when mPOS machines are down: “Whenever we need to transfer money to another account, we are forced to withdraw cash from the ATM first and then deposit it using the ATM deposit machine. This double transaction results in the bank charging us service fees twice for what should have been a single transaction.”
The situation is particularly concerning in South Andaman, where internet connectivity is relatively better than in remote areas such as Campbell Bay, Hut Bay, and the North and Middle Andaman and Nicobar Districts. In these regions, where net banking is impractical due to poor internet connections, residents are entirely dependent on ATM and mPOS machines for their banking needs. The continued dysfunction of these machines in more accessible areas raises questions about the reliability of banking services in the more remote parts of the islands.
Islanders are urging the State Bank of India to take immediate action to resolve these issues and ensure uninterrupted services for all customers, particularly in light of the increasing dependence on digital and automated banking.
