During an anti-encroachment drive, the staircase to a State Bank of India (SBI) branch was demolished in Odisha. What followed afterwards had the Internet questioning the safety and security of customers. In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), customers were seen climbing a ladder placed on the back of a tractor to enter the bank’s branch located at Charampa market in Bhadrak.
According to a report by Odisha TV, the demolition took place as part of a campaign to clear illegal structures from Charampa market to Bhadrak’s railway station. During the drive, several shops, houses, and temporary construction were demolished. The front side and staircase of the building, where the SBI branch is located, were also taken down because local authorities
found that it was built on encroached land. The demolition left the building with no proper entry.
Notices Were Issued To The Bank And Building Owner Regarding Illegal Construction
According to sources, multiple notices were issued to the bank and the building owner before the drive, but no corrective measures were taken to address the issue. The demolition was then carried out under the supervision of the Sub-Collector, Tehsildar, and other local officials. Authorities reportedly made several announcements on loudspeakers to inform people of the anti-encroachment drive. They were given two days to vacate the area.
Following the drive, the bank arranged a wooden ladder set on a tractor so that staff and customers could enter the branch, which is located on the first floor. The clip that caught social media users’ attention showed people entering the branch by climbing a ladder. The incident sparked public discussion and concern about customer safety and the inconvenience caused.
#WATCH | Bhadrak | Customers of the State Bank of India (SBI) branch at Charampa market in Bhadrak were compelled to climb a ladder placed on the back of a tractor to enter the bank, after its staircase was demolished during an anti-encroachment drive.#Odisha pic.twitter.com/807JtzxaVy
— OTV (@otvnews) November 24, 2025
Internet Reacts To The Bizarre Solution
One user said, “This is straight-up ridiculous-Bhadrak SBI customers risking life on a tractor ladder just to reach their bank? Anti-encroachment drive demolished the stairs without a backup plan? Govt flexes ‘clean-up’ but leaves people dangling. SBI, where’s the urgency to rebuild? This isn’t service; it’s a bad joke on savers. ”
“The staircase was illegally built, which is why it was demolished. Also, the whole building may be illegal or some part of it too. The bank just took it on rent without verifying the house records or the plan approval details. No blaming the govt. Also, who opens a bank on the 1st floor, basic sense,” another person commented.
“Give the customers free medical and life insurance,” read a comment.
A different individual wrote, “What a joke @TheOfficialSBI !! Not even verified the land.”
“Only the staircase was illegal, and the rest of the building was legally built? What a nightmare for the bank employees and customers. Only happens in India,” someone else noted.
As reported by the aforementioned media outlet, the building owner installed a new steel staircase after the original one was demolished. Normal access to the bank has now resumed.
