A defunct State Bank of India (SBI) ATM kiosk in the Danapur area of Patna, India, has been repurposed into a hair salon.
The transformation highlights the informal reuse of urban infrastructure in Bihar, where vacant commercial spaces are often repurposed quickly by local entrepreneurs.
According to reports, the ATM stopped functioning approximately six months ago [1]. After the machine ceased operations, bank officials removed the hardware from the site [1]. This left a vacant kiosk in a high-traffic area of Danapur, creating an opportunity for a local business owner to occupy the space.
The entrepreneur converted the remaining structure into a barbershop, utilizing the small footprint of the original ATM booth. The conversion gained significant attention after video footage of the salon went viral on social media platforms [2].
Local residents in Patna have noted the unusual nature of the transition from a financial service point to a grooming establishment. The kiosk's original branding and structure remain visible, though the interior now houses chairs, and mirrors for hair cutting [2].
While the State Bank of India has not issued a formal statement regarding the lease or legal status of the kiosk's current use, the physical removal of the machine by bank officials preceded the salon's opening [1]. The site continues to operate as a business in the Danapur neighborhood, serving as a local curiosity and a functional service provider.
“A defunct State Bank of India (SBI) ATM kiosk in the Danapur area of Patna, India, has been repurposed into a hair salon.”
This incident reflects a broader trend of adaptive reuse in densely populated Indian urban centers, where small-scale entrepreneurs maximize limited real estate. The rapid transition from a corporate banking outpost to a micro-business suggests a gap between the decommissioning of corporate assets and the formal reclamation of property by institutions.
