SBI branch overcrowding leaves customers struggling

Metro India News | MAHABUBABAD

A severe shortage of space and basic amenities at the State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Kesamudram has become a major concern for thousands of customers. Residents and account holders are urging the bank's higher authorities to shift the branch to a larger premises as the existing facility is unable to handle the growing number of visitors.

The problem began after the merger of the erstwhile State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH) with SBI. While SBI was operating from a private building, the SBH branch functioned from a government building in the Agricultural Market premises. After the market building became unsafe, both branches were merged and shifted to the existing SBI building without expanding the available space.

The branch now caters to more than 70,000 account holders, besides handling accounts of several government departments and welfare schemes. It also provides services such as savings and current account transactions, RTGS, NEFT, gold loans, agricultural and commercial loans, locker facilities and pension-related services. The steady flow of customers has resulted in severe overcrowding on most working days.

Customers say the branch lacks even the basic facilities needed to serve such a large population. There is inadequate seating, no proper toilets, insufficient waiting space and no designated parking area. Elderly people, women, farmers and other customers are often forced to stand for long hours while waiting for their turn.

Locals argue that although the merger significantly increased the branch's workload, no corresponding improvement was made to its infrastructure. They believe the branch building is no longer suitable for the volume of transactions being handled every day.

Residents have appealed to SBI officials to immediately relocate the branch to a spacious building with adequate customer amenities. They say improving the infrastructure will not only reduce congestion but also ensure faster and more efficient banking services for thousands of account holders in and around Kesamudram.