Fest in the time of demonetisation could be an ambitious proposition.

The state, however, has a Plan-B for Prakash Utsav pilgrims who will need cash during their stay in Patna for the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh from December 30 to January 8.

The banks have been instructed to provide at least two mobile ATMs for each of the three tent cities that have been set up for the event. The three tents are expected to play host to around 53,000 pilgrims out of the total 5 lakh devotees coming here in the time of demonetisation.

"We have asked the banks to provide two mobile ATMs at each of the three tent cities and ensure they work incessantly. As there are just two mobile ATMs in the city, we have directed the banks to bring in additional ones," Patna district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said.

Though there are several ATMs in the vicinity of the tent city at Gandhi Maidan that will accommodate around 18,000 devotees, the other tent cities on Bypass Road and Kangan Ghat are far from the ATMs.

"ATMs are an issue for the tent city along Patna Bypass, which is the largest of the three and will host around 30,000 pilgrims. The nearest ATM is quite far from there, hence, the necessity of a mobile ATM there arises," Sanjay said.

Help desks will be placed near the landmark accommodations to inform pilgrims about the nearest ATM.

The issue was raised at the district-level committee of bankers and they were asked to ensure regular cash flow in the ATMs on the routes likely to be used by the devotees to visit Takht Shri Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as Patna Sahib Gurdwara that marks the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh.

Banks that have ATMs in the city have been told to ensure they remain operational 24x7, as the load will increase with the influx of Sikh devotees.

Though a large number of devotees will come from states that are facing a severe scarcity of currency, the Bihar government and the Prakash Utsav organisers at Patna Sahib are hoping they don't suffer cash crunch here.

"Accommodation, food and transportation will be free from the places of stay to the places of worship. This will cut down the need for cash in hand. However, we will readily provide help if a devotee needs cash," said Gurinder Pal Singh, the chairman of the 350th Prakash Utsav celebration committee.

Harmandir Sahib has five point-of-sale or card-swipe machines to facilitate donations with the help of debit and credit cards. Around 10 more swipe machines will be installed at various locations to help visitors donate.

Tourism department director Uma Shankar Prasad said facilities of foreign exchange conversion will also be arranged for pilgrims from other countries.