As part of its ongoing endeavour to widen its network and take world-class banking services to the hinterland, HDFC Bank, the second largest private bank in the country, opened its first branch in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir, today. With this, the Bank has opened a second branch in J&K this month and remains on track to set up 50 branches by year-end.
At 2,500 feet above sea level and 42 km from Jammu, Katra, a small town nestled in the foothills of Trikuta mountain, is the starting point for the trek to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The branch, which was inaugurated by Governor J&K, Mr. N.N. Vohra, who is also the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, will not only serve the local populace but also address the needs of millions of pilgrims who throng the hallowed altar every year. According to a survey carried out by IIT Delhi, Department of Management Studies, approximately 75 lakh pilgrims will pay homage at Vaishno Devi this year and the number will touch 84 lakh by 2015.
HDFC Bank has 85 tie-ups for online donation with religious institutions, the highest among banks in India, thereby acting as a bridge between devotees and shrines.
Speaking from Mumbai, Ravi Narayanan, Senior Executive Vice-President, Branch Banking, HDFC Bank, said: “Using state of the art technology, products to suit local needs and personalized attention, we are confident of serving the people of J&K well. We plan to have more than 50 branches in Jammu & Kashmir by the end of year.”
Sachin Mahajan, Cluster Head, J&K, HDFC Bank, said: “We are committed to reach out to the populace of J&K all over the state. Our branch in Katra is another step in that direction. HDFC Bank is proactively working at building a relationship with the people of this beautiful region which it believes will be a long and mutually beneficial one.”
Other guests of honour present on the occasion were CEO, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Mr. R. K. Goyal, additional CEO, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Mr. M. K. Bhandari, Chief Accounts Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Mr. Rohit Khajuria and President, Hotel and Restaurant Association, Katra, Mr. Sham Lal Kesar.
