Damaged Dena Bank branch raises security worries

HYDERABAD: A few panic-stricken people, who flocked near the rubble of the once famous City Light Hotel on Tuesday, were more worried about their money and jewellery stowed away in the safety vault of a bank, which is now visible to prying eyes.
A common wall that separated the hotel and the local branch of the Dena bank has crumbled and is giving a harrowing time to bankers as well as their customers as the entrance to the safety vault room has been exposed and covered with some rubble.
"Our building and the hotel had a common wall because of which a portion of our building is missing. This is because we bought the property in 1950s and it was built that way then," said D Vinod Kumar, the owner of the adjacent building, which houses the RP Road branch of the bank.
As the rescue operations at the collapsed hotel intensified on Tuesday, a feeling of panic and nervousness was visible among the customers of the Dena bank branch on M G Road, where the office had shifted temporarily. The bank was witnessing a constant flow of calls from anxious customers who wanted to know if their lockers in the safety vault were safe.
The bank has been operating from its MG Road office since Monday's tragic incident which claimed 17 lives, but once news spread people started flocking in. "I heard that the wall is gone, I am worried about my valuables so I came to check for myself with others who have kept their money and jewellery here," said an elderly person, who refused to give his name.
The bank is located on the ground floor of Dundoo chambers, which also houses godown of electrical appliances on the first and second floor.
After the hotel collapsed on Monday, a gaping hole on the side portion of this bank has raised security and safety concerns, since one can gain easy entry into it. Presently, this safety vault cannot be accessed even by the bank officials unless the rubble accumulated at its entrance is cleared. "We are taking every precaution possible to keep the bank secure" said Susheela Rao, bank manager, who ordered beefing up of the security.
"Previously only one guard used to man the bank, but now we have hired two more guards. We will make sure that nobody gains access to the bank premises," she said.
The officials of the bank, however, said they were not taking a chance and have decided to move into the building only after a safety test on the building is done. "We will engage structural engineer and get a safety test done on the building. If we feel the structure is weak then we will shift from here" she added.
Security officials sealed the building since Monday morning, owing to rescue operations. The owner of the building, however, is a hassled one as the rescue mission involving heavy machines has been going on overtime close to the building. On Tuesday, a JCB vehicle clearing the debris had also brushed the building a couple of times.
"If we are given some access then we will take decision on how to build the wall soon. I have to protect the bank and also the electrical shop. We are also hoping that the rescue operations do not damage our structure and that is what we are conveying to the authorities." Vinod Kumar, the owner said.