Picture used for representative purpose only
The recent demonetisation, which has left the common man stranded, has also brought tourists to the end of their wits. The Metro station at Akshardham, a major tourist attraction for both Indian and international visitors, may have four ATMs, but none of them had any cash to dispense, leaving hopeful visitors twiddling their thumbs.
The Akshardham Metro station has two ATMs on the ground floor and two on either side of the second-floor entry.
City Spidey spoke to one of the many visitors who were running from one ATM to the other on November 15. Ranjeet Sharma, a visitor from Siliguri, West Bengal, said he had come to tour the capital with his wife Shruti two days ago. "We had heard a lot about Akshardham temple and had decided to visit it today," he said. "My wife wanted to buy something from the street market outside the station, but I had only Rs 300 in my pocket. The ATMs are also not working. This day could have turned out a lot better if we had some more cash on us.”
On being asked how they managed to stay in Delhi for three days, he said, “We are staying at a relative’s place, so there are no food and lodging expenses. But once we step out, we are on our own.”
People have been coming to these ATMs, but to no avail. Rachit Kumar, who came to withdraw money at the Mayur Vihar Phase I Metro station, said, “I live in a rented accommodation here. Normally, if the ATMs are not working, I can borrow money from friends, but in the present scenario, everyone is facing a cash crunch.”
City Spidey found that all 10 ATMs at Metro stations from Akshardham to Sector 16, Noida, were not functioning.
