Demonetisation: Scramble for cash continues but money available in ATMs

The scramble for cash spawned by demonetisation a week ago assumed frantic proportions on Tuesday as people descended outside banks in droves in the wee hours fearing ATMs may run dry. Tens of thousands of people lined up hours before banks opened in towns and cities across the country to exchange or deposit or withdraw money, a day after a public holiday in several states, even as the grim situation showed no signs of abating. Small businesses also continued to be hit hard with lack of patrons who were scurrying for small change.
 
As banks opened after a day's break, all major cities including Delhi and Mumbai, witnessed greater scramble for cash with people queuing up before banks and ATMs to exchange old currency notes and withdraw cash for essential expenses.
 
To the relief of some customers, the ATMs were found to be working better as compared to previous days.
 
In Delhi, people in large numbers started queueing up outside ATMs and banks from early morning but with limited success as many cash vending machines were running dry. Police also had to threaten an unruly crowd outside RBI with lathis.