Bhubaneswar: Customers of a State Bank of India (SBI) branch at Charampa market in Bhadrak In Odisha’s Bhadrak district faced an extraordinary situation when they were compelled to use a wooden ladder to access the bank.
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), customers were seen climbing a ladder placed on the back of a tractor to ent
er the bank. The reason: the staircase to the bank branch was demolished during an anti-encroachment drive about five days ago.
The temporary fix drew widespread criticism and disbelief from customers, many of whom were stunned at having to climb the precarious ladder just to conduct routine banking. The arrangement proved particularly challenging for senior citizens and women.
Soon, the internet was also agog, expressing concern over safety of the customers and the inconvenience caused.
“This is straight-up ridiculous-Bhadrak SBI customers risking life on a tractor ladder just to reach their bank? Anti-encroachment drive demolished the stairs without a backup plan? Govt flexes ‘clean-up’ but leaves people dangling. SBI, where’s the urgency to rebuild? This isn’t a service; it’s a bad joke on savers,” one user noted.
“The staircase was illegally built, which is why it was demolished. Also, the whole building may be illegal or some part of it too. The bank just took it on rent without verifying the house records or the plan approval details. No blaming the govt. Also, who opens a bank on the 1st floor, basic sense,” another person commented.
“Give the customers free medical and life insurance,” read another comment.