MUMBAI: Several citizens living around Marine Drive, who had raised issues over how LED lights had reduced lighting over the sea facing Marine Drive stretch, have welcomed the Chief Justice Mohit Shah’s remarks over the same.

Six months after Marine Drive lost its golden glow; the Bombay High Court on Thursday weighed in on the issue and suggested bringing back sodium vapour lamps that throw a yellow light on the iconic stretch.

On the whole citizens living in the area were found to be divided over the issue of LED lights versus sodium vapour lamps. However those in support of the golden glow for the Queen's necklace (as Marine Drive is often called) said that the LED lights seemed to create dark spots at several places on the stretch. Ashad Mehta, president of the Oval-Cooperage Residents Association said, “As residents we had made representations to various bodies including the Heritage Committee in the BMC. We always believed that the yellow lights looked more aesthetic while LED lights created several dark spots. We welcome the suggestions made by the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court and are hoping that the civic body takes cognizance of the same.”

Recently on May 19, the Nariman Point Churchgate Residents Association (NPCCA) had sent out a letter stating that considering that Marine Drive is a heritage precinct there should not be any ad hoc interventions done. Atul Kumar, vice president and trustee of the he NPCCA said that he completely was in agreement with the remarks made by the court and the Chief Justice had raised a valid point. “The heritage committee had not given any permission for the change in lights and this suggestion comes in tune with the Heritage conservation committee views,” Kumar said. Another Marine Drive resident Mahendra Hemdev however in favour of the LED lights said, “There are huge savings in LED lights and it should continue. The savings can light up other areas in the city.”

Meanwhile the BJP Sena tussle over the issue started immediately after this suggestion came in. The Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray tweeted on Friday about how LED’s at marine Drive were wrongly imposed. “I thank the Hon'ble High Court CJ for voicing Mumbaikars against the wrongfully imposed LEDs on Marine Drive that stole away its charm.” Meanwhile Avkash Jadhav, Shiv Sena nominated councilor wrote a letter to the BMC chief Ajoy Mehta asking that the speed at which the sodium vapor lights were replaced by LED at the same speed they be brought back. The standing committee chairman in the BMC Sena’s Yashodhar Phanse, has written to the BMC chief Ajoy Mehta as well asking the sodium vapour lights to be once again brought in.

Improvement Committee Chairman in the BMC and BJP corporator Prakash Gangadhare on the other hand, meanwhile along with MP Kirit Somaiya launched LED bulb project at Mulund on Friday. “LED bulbs help greatly in reducing power consumption and today power safety is off core importance besides it helping in reduction of power bills,” said Gangadhare.