In January this year, the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking had robbed Marine Drive of its iconic golden glow, replacing the sodium vapour streetlights on the Queen's Necklace with white LEDs. The severe backlash forced the BEST to go back to the original golden lamps. Now, the Undertaking is once again procuring sodium vapour lights for the city's roads, but only in a limited quantity on a 'short-term' basis. Why? Because the officials think there might later be a demand for the white LEDs instead.

One is tired of the BEST constantly going back and forth on the lighting decision. Why should political backlash force the BEST to change colour, literally and figuratively? Such issues will always result in divided opinions, and there will be substantial debate and dissension, whatever the kind of light chosen. Some will veer towards the more efficient LEDs, others towards the nostalgic glow of sodium vapour lamps.