Worli Residents Wait a Decade for Streetlights on 700m Stretch
For the residents of the Mahalaxmi Co-operative Housing Society in Worli, the absence of streetlights on a 700m stretch of Pandurang Budhkar Marg has been a frustrating, decade-long struggle. The dark stretch, which runs through a densely packed part of the city, has left the 1,800 people living in the society navigating their neighbourhood in near-darkness every evening.
Santosh Gupta, a resident of the society since its inception in 2014, shares his disbelief at the continued delay. “It’s unbelievable that we have been waiting for streetlights for 10 years. We walk along this road every evening, often relying on torchlight or the flashlights on our mobile phones to guide our way,” he explains. “The stretch is narrow and full of parked bikes, making it difficult for pedestrians to walk safely. It’s especially challenging for people carrying bags or parcels.” The lack of lighting is not only a daily inconvenience but also a safety hazard. “It’s particularly difficult for senior citizens and children,” adds fellow resident Rahul Mahadev Devkate. “The road sees heavy traffic, with luxury cars like BMWs and Audis crowding the space. Yet, other streets near the upscale towers in the area have streetlights, and we are always told ours will be lit up ‘later’.”
For the residents, the absence of lights is not just a minor inconvenience—it’s a matter of safety and security. Local resident Abhishek Tiwari points out that the lack of lighting makes the area more prone to criminal activity. “There are drug addicts on the road late at night, and women in the area feel particularly vulnerable. Streetlights aren’t just about illumination—they help dispel the fear of the unknown,” he says.
In response to these concerns, Pramod Mandrekar, South Mumbai Lok Sabha Samanvayak of the Shiv Sena, has taken up the issue several times with the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). “I’m aware of the dire situation on Pandurang Budhkar Marg. The lack of streetlights makes it a dangerous stretch for pedestrians,” Mandrekar says. “I have written multiple letters to the authorities, including to Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora, who also took up the issue with BEST and the concerned ward officer.” Despite these efforts, the problem persists, with the authorities citing bureaucratic red tape as the primary hurdle. A report from last year confirmed that the road had not yet been formally handed over by the builder to the relevant authorities. However, Mandrekar remains adamant that the focus should be on alleviating the residents’ suffering, not getting caught up in procedural delays.
In a recent development, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray wrote a letter on February 12, 2025, to Bhushan Gagrani, the civic chief, calling for the installation of streetlights to improve the quality of life for the residents. The letter was also marked to S V R Srinivas, the general manager of BEST. When approached for a statement, a spokesperson for BEST said, “We received this letter yesterday. There is a formal process in place for the installation of streetlights in new locations, which includes obtaining approvals from the BMC. We will begin processing the request as quickly as possible.” As of now, the residents of Mahalaxmi Co-operative Society are still waiting for the basic amenity of streetlights, which they have been promised time and again. For many, this ongoing struggle represents a larger issue of neglected infrastructure in parts of Mumbai, where even the simplest needs remain unmet for years.
