All 23 Namma Metro stations to have ATMs

All Namma Metro stations in the city will soon have ATM kiosks. During the days following demonetisation, people had to stand in long queues at banks and ATM kiosks to withdraw money. “But those commuting by Namma Metro were lucky as the kiosks there always had cash. We want to extend this convenience to people travelling from all stations,” chief public relations officer of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), U A Vasanth Rao, told DH on Thursday.

Earlier, the BMRCL had set a deadline of February 6 for submission of tender documents. However, several banks approached the corporation for an extension of the deadline, Rao said. “We extended the deadline to February 15 after the banks said they were burdened with work post demonetisation.” He said the corporation has received good response after the extension and soon, 33 machines will come up at 23 stations to boost commuters’ convenience.

Metro officials noted that banks do not have to spend on additional infrastructure and security measures as BMRCL offers visible spots and total security at its stations. Madhura Raj, who regularly travels between Attiguppe and Trinity stations, said the money dispensing machines at all stations will be of great benefit to commuters like her. “That I don’t have to go searching for ATMs that have cash is reassuring. There were days when I had to walk for two kilometres to find a working ATM. I look forward to the days when I can withdraw money on the way to work,” she said.