Ludhiana, Jan. 21 -- Around 100 to 150 streetlights are vanishing across Ludhiana every month, with local authorities struggling to trace the disappearance. The widespread theft has plunged several of the city's busiest arterial roads into complete darkness, forcing thousands of commuters to navigate high speed traffic lanes at serious risk, officials familiar with the matter said.

Among the worst affected stretches are Preet Palace to Samrala Chowk, areas near CRP Colony, Jalandhar Bypass, the vicinity of Basti Jodhewal and the Southern Bypass, which witness heavy vehicular movement round the clock, officials added.

According to officials, the large-scale theft of functional streetlights, poles and cables has become a recurring civic p...