ATM Cash Crunch Disrupts Eid Holiday Preparations in Dhaka
Banks’ ATM networks across the capital faced severe disruption and cash shortages on the last working day before the Eid-ul-Adha holidays, leaving thousands of customers stranded in long queues or unable to withdraw money at all.
According to reports on Sunday, May 24, multiple automated teller machines (ATMs) in Dhaka either ran out of cash or showed “out of service” messages, while functioning booths experienced unusually heavy congestion. The pressure of last-minute cash withdrawals ahead of the Eid break caused operational strain across several bank networks.
The banking sector is preparing for a seven-day extended Eid-ul-Adha holiday from May 25 to May 31. However, even before the closure, ATM booths in key areas such as Rampura, Motijheel, and Moghbazar reportedly faced rapid cash depletion. Customers expressed frustration at multiple locations, including ATMs operated by Trust Bank and Dutch-Bangla Bank inside the Sena Kalyan Bhaban premises in Motijheel, where cash shortages forced many to leave without withdrawals. Some bank branches, including Uttara Bank in Moghbazar, also reportedly advised customers to visit alternative branches due to cash constraints.
Despite central bank directives to ensure uninterrupted cash availability, the situation triggered public dissatisfaction over both digital and cash-based banking services during the peak holiday period.
Responding to the situation, Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan stated that the central bank had supplied sufficient cash to all scheduled banks based on their demand. He emphasized that no bank was denied cash from Bangladesh Bank, and any failure in ATM or branch-level cash availability reflects internal management shortcomings of the respective institutions.
He also noted that the central bank had issued instructions earlier in the week to ensure uninterrupted ATM services, POS operations, e-payment gateways, and mobile financial services (MFS) during the holiday period. He added that necessary actions would be taken against banks that fail to maintain customer service standards.
Authorities further confirmed that, despite the extended holiday, selected bank branches and sub-branches will remain open on Saturday to help manage customer demand.
DBTech/MR/EK/OR
