Thousands of MTNL users in Hutatma Chowk, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai Central, Dadar and Sitladevi temple areas have been cut off for over a fortnight, courtesy dead landline connections. Residents have made numerous complaints to MTNL, which has, in turn, passed the buck to the Metro, saying its ongoing digging work has damaged cables.

MTNL has said it would take more than a week to get matters resolved completely. Dr Wiqar Shaikh, 63, who runs an allergy clinic in Mumbai Central, said, "My landline has been dead for the past 17 days. I rely heavily on the landline as most of my patients from all over the country only have that number."