Streetlights on many important roads in the suburb are on the blink after showers hit the city two weeks ago. Says VK Shankarnarayan, a resident of Sarvodaya Nagar and a consumer activist, "The streetlights have not been working for the last two weeks on LBS Marg, Valji Ladha Road, SL Road, MG Road, NS Road and SN Road. I have already complained to the MSEB.

Meanwhile, on Valji Ladha Road and nearby localities, residents charge that anti-social elements are taking advantage of the situation. "Last week there were three attempts of chain-snatching.

Fortunately, the chains were not lost," says a shopkeeper on Valji Ladha Road. He adds that no complaints were registered. "However, we have complained to the MSEB several times. Their excuse for not rectifying the situation is the lack of staff and material."

A senior official attached to the Mulund police says that they have heard of chain-snatching incidents in different localities.

"However, no complaints have been registered. The streetlights are not working and criminals take advantage of this. We have increased patrolling in the evenings," he adds.

When contacted, an engineer with the MSEB says that they are working to restore the streetlights. "After the rains began, we received many complaints.

In most buildings lights have gone off due to water seepage. We have given first priority to this. We are not able to speed up the process because we are short of staff," he adds.

mulund@mid-day.com