Goa mines to have SBI’s first mobile ATM

The first of the five mobile ATMs planned by State Bank of India for Goa and
Maharashtra will be introduced in Goa in May this year. The mobile ATM will be
launched in Goa on a pilot basis and the rem-aining four mobile ATMs–two each
in Goa and Maha-rashtra–will be pressed into ser-vice depending upon the
success of the first ATM.

The first mobile ATM will be stat-ioned in the hinter-lands of Goa to cover
the mining belt. Subsequently, mobile ATM ser-vice will be exten-ded to the
coastal area to cater to the tourist visiting Goa’s world fam-ous beaches. The
mobile ATMs will be also used as a product informa-tion delivery system and even
as a drop box for collection of cheques to provide multiple services in the
remote areas.

The ATMs, which will work on CDMA technology, are designed with in-built
security features such as, linking to the nearest police station so that police
are alerted the moment someone tries to play mischief with the ATMs. The ATM
will visit different mines on specific days to cater to the cluster of workers
working on the mines. These ATMs will move around during the daytime, starting
from early morning and will get parked in the night at the branch to which it is
attached.

Iron ore mining is one of Goa’s largest industries, emp-loying a sizeable
population that runs along the Western Ghats on the eastern side of Goa.
Explaining the rationale behind starting this service in Goa, Ramesh Kumar,
Chief General Manager (Mumbai Circle), State Bank of India, said, "Goa as a
state has a very prog-ressive outlook. People of Goa appreciate and respond to
such novel innovations and are more IT savvy. We are looking at Goa as an
interesting place for experimenting with ideas and innovations, testing them out
and rolling them elsewhere".

"We would like to use mobile ATMs also to target tourist on the beaches,
especially those beaches where water sports activity takes place which involves
cash payments of significant amounts. Tourists should not desist themselves from
playing water sports because they did not carry enough cash", he said while
adding that mobile ATMs will make cash available to them right on the beach.

"This will induce lot more people to spend more money in Goa and enjoy
their holidays and become our clients at the same time," he added.

He was confident that peo-ple from rural Goa would fami-liarize themselves
with the operation of ATMs after some basic awareness programs. Mine workers are
a set of organized workers who can be easily got together and educated on the
usage of ATM, he said.

In addition, the mobile ATMs will have an attendant who can assist the people
in using this high tech gadget.

Niraj Naik

Goa (CyberMedia News)