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        It's a way of life for some to steal and escape under cover of darkness. This is the situation at tailend Vadapalani (Azhagiri Nagar Sixth Cross Street) for the past few months. All because of non-functioning street lights on this stretch which comes in handy for the culprits to lay their hands on whatever things they could lift.

There are many instances of bicycle thefts that have gone unreported in this particular street. A few days ago, the battery from a Minidor (tempo) van belonging to a resident Prabhakaran which was parked in front of his house was stolen. Residents are dejected over reporting the matter to the police since they feel things wouldn't materialise as it is a laborious process.         Mayor M Subramanian after assuming office has taken some effective steps regarding upkeep of street lights. In this context, the Mayor used to conduct weekly visits to a particular ward every Wednesday to check whether street lights were burning. It may be noted that during one of his visits to a Ward he had suspended a junior engineer for negligence of duty.         But now, this weekly visit has been shelved. Reasons are only known to the Mayor. However, he conducts weekly review of civic issues at the zonal office every Friday.         News Today spoke to Jayaraman, Assistant Divisional Engineer (Electrical), Zone 8, in connection with non-functioning of street lights. The official assured to take action. However, sources stated that there is shortage of hydraulic vehicles for maintenance of street lights.         It may be noted that there were 1.20 lakh street lights as on 1 April, 2006 in the Corporation limits. The Corporation had allotted Rs 730 lakh for the Electricity Department for the financial year 2006-07. It had planned to install 750 new street lights using funds.         On street lights maintenance, the Corporation has 22 hydraulic vehicles, 63 push type wooden/ aluminium ladders. Sources stated that 49 more aluminium ladders are to be added for the upkeep of street lights.

The lamp post sans any light at Alagiri Nagar Sixth Cross Street, Vadpalani.

        Vijayan, a resident, feels that officials should make it a point to make periodical visits to this street to look into the grievances. Notably, the Councillor S B Viswanathan (Ward 117) has not visited this street after getting elected.

        Raja, a customer care executive at a jewellery mart, said the Mayor should make a visit to this tailend Vadapalani area at least once to set things right.

        The police on its part should ensure routine patrol during night hours and Chennai City Traffic Police (CCTP) sleuths should see that unused vehicles parked on this stretch were removed.