The residents of Powai have been grappling with banking difficulties following the closure of a branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) located near the gate premises of IIT Bombay in 2018. The closure was a result of the expiry of the bank's lease, forcing customers to seek alternative banking services. This unfortunate turn of events left citizens without a nearby bank, causing inconvenience and hardship for the local community.
To alleviate the situation, the State Bank of India transferred affected customers to the Jain Mandir branch in Flora Powai. However, this solution inadvertently led to an overwhelming influx of customers, inundating the branch and causing a strain on its resources. The sudden surge in account holders created substantial delays for even the simplest transactions, disproportionately affecting senior citizens and causing frustration among the local population.
Taking cognizance of the plight faced by Powai residents, prominent members of the Mumbai Congress, including PCC member Pradeep Verma, Sanjay Singh (youth district secretary), and Ashok Pandey (vice president of the 122 wards), came forward to advocate for the community. To address the issue, they collectively penned a letter to the branch manager of the SBI bank, urging an extension of counters and an increase in staff to meet the growing demand.
The letter, dated May 17, 2023, emphasized the grievances expressed by numerous customers who had encountered severe inconveniences due to the shortage of staff and operational counters. Complaints regarding malfunctioning printer machines further added to the customer’s frustrations. Of particular concern were the senior citizens who found themselves grappling with unnecessary delays and prolonged waiting times, hindering their ability to conduct even the simplest of banking transactions.
The Mumbai Regional Congress Committee, through its representatives, humbly requested the SBI branch manager to address these pressing concerns promptly. They highlighted the urgent need to expand the number of counters and increase the staffing levels to alleviate the burden on the Jain Mandir branch. By doing so, they hoped to restore efficient banking services to the citizens of Powai, ultimately alleviating their suffering.
The residents of Powai eagerly await the response from the SBI branch manager, hopeful that their plea for improved banking services will be met with swift action. The extension of counters and the addition of more staff members are crucial steps toward resolving the ongoing banking woes faced by the citizens of Powai.
As this issue gains attention and public support, it is expected that the SBI bank authorities will take the necessary measures to rectify the situation promptly. The community remains optimistic that their struggles will soon be a thing of the past, and they can once again enjoy efficient and hassle-free banking services in their neighborhood.
For any further updates on this matter, stay tuned to Powai News, your trusted source for local news and developments.
