SBI customers pray for safety of lockers

Guwahati: The inferno that engulfed the six-storey building for more than 15 hours made the SBI customers worried about their accounts, documents and the lockers.

People with lockers and home loan documents in the bank rushed to the site on Wednesday morning, anxiously seeking confirmation from authorities about the safety of their valuables. Many appeared worried as they spoke to officials for updates.

Bank authorities said the SBI personal banking business wing has a total of around 3,000 customers. “There is nothing to worry as the papers and all other documents are usually digitized. On the other hand, the lockers are also fire resistant. Now, anything can be said about the damage only after the fire is doused and we are allowed to enter the bank,” an official said.

Meanwhile, a 45-year-old woman from Guwahati’s Hatigaon area, who works in a leading corporation, said she had a locker in the bank with several important documents. “The authorities have said the lockers are fire-proof. But the fire engulfed the building for more than 12 hours now. How can we be sure that the lockers are safe?”

Another businessman from Guwahati’s Rukminigaon, who also did not wish to be named, said he has been holding a locker in the bank for the last 10 years. He said, “I am not worried about the accounts and the loan papers as those are digitised by the bank. Praying that the lockers are safe,” he added.

Meanwhile, divisional officer (Technical) Himangshu Baruah said, “Lockers are designed to be fire-resistant, but the real concern is how much heat they can withstand and still protect the documents inside. There’s always a limit.”