Bhubaneswar, Dec. 11: A month since currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination were demonetised, cash crunch continues to haunt city residents .

The problem now is not non-functioning ATMs, but most of them are dispensing only Rs 2,000 notes. These notes have emerged as one of the biggest headaches for the people who are finding it tough to spend the high-value currency.

"People enquire about the currency denomination available before visiting the ATM and then leave without transacting," said a security guard at a State Bank of India ATM in Rasulgarh. He added that only 10 people had visited the ATM till 4 pm.

The problem is compounded by extended holiday in banks. The banks in the city were closed on Saturday, and would remain closed till tomorrow.

Satyendra Panda, 36, businessman and resident of Nayapalli, said he was scheduled to travel Calcutta today, but had to cancel the ticket yesterday. "I had booked a ticket in Jan Shatabdi Express and was hoping to withdraw cash from the bank on Friday. However, I could not do it due to some work. Hence, I cancelled the trip and would plan it whenever I have some cash in hand," he said.

Panda said he has a debit card. "But can I use it at the railway station to buy food? Would it help me if there is an emergency during the trip?" he said. All Panda has with him at present is a single Rs 2,000 note. "I have borrowed around Rs 1,000 from a relative and am hoping to withdraw cash from the bank on Tuesday," he said.

The high-value note is also a problem for traders who do not have point of sale machines. "People come to us with the new Rs 2,000 note. Since, we do not have sufficient change, sale has been affected," said Amar Parida, 54, a clothes trader at Unit-II market. He added that business had been affected by almost 50 per cent at shops that do not have point of sale machines. Parida said he would get a machine soon.

"It is important to have one for business as long as the cash crunch continues," he said.

"Around 30 traders at the market have point of sale machines. The ones who do not have the facility are facing losses. Business in such markets are usually done in cash, but now after demonetisation, situation has taken a turn for the worse," said Satyam Padhi, 45, a fast food owner.

Aradhana Panigrahi, 22, an MPhil student and resident of Nayapalli said she had been visiting the market for the past five years. "

The market is famous among youngsters. However, with non-availability of Rs 100 and new Rs 500 cash, it has become an uphill task to get the Rs 2,000 changed," she added.