ICICI Bank, India's largest private sector bank, announced that as part of its financial inclusion plan that aims at providing banking services in villages which are so far devoid of banking facilities. The bank today launched 'Branch on Wheels' in Chhattisgarh.

The 'Branch on Wheels' is a first of its kind initiative by any private sector bank in India.

Raman Singh, chief minister of Chhattisgarh, said, ''It gives me immense pleasure to inaugurate ICICI Bank's first 'Branch on Wheels' in Chhattisgarh. This unique initiative of a mobile branch with an ATM will certainly go a long way in providing basic banking facilities to the unbanked villages in Chhattisgarh. Financial inclusion is crucial for the state and I am very happy to see ICICI Bank playing a strong role in this area.''

Shares of the bank declined Rs 7.1, or 0.68%, to settle at Rs 1,030.65. The total volume of shares traded was 144,929 at the BSE (Wednesday).