In panic, people queue up outside ATMs

As the news of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes being banned by the Central government went viral on social media and instant messaging platforms like Whatsapp on Tuesday evening, the general public panicked and rushed to nearest ATM centers to withdraw lower amount like '400 for currency of '100 denomination.

It was chaos at all ATM centers in the city, especially at the Secunderabad railway station and the MGBS bus station. The situation was worse as ATMs will not function for the next two days.

Mr Pankaj Chaturvedi, a tourist from New Delhi who was returning on Tuesday night, said that he only had Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

“I was shocked when I entered the railway canteen for dinner. The manager of the canteen cautioned me before entering and said that they would not accept these notes. When I tried to withdraw currency in denominations of Rs 100, there was a long queue. If I wait for my turn at the ATM, I will miss my train. I am returning from Hyderabad with an empty stomach,” Mr Chaturvedi said.

A railway staff at the reservation counter said that they were given instruction to accept Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes till 12 am. “We shall wait for further instructions after 12 am. If our higher officials direct us to accept these notes, we shall do it,” the staff said. RTC commuters faced a similar experience at MGBS and JBS bus stations.