Hundreds if citizens in India's financial capital Mumbai took part in a campaign, aimed at spreading the effects of global warming and the need to conserve energy, by switching off power in several places in the city.

Indians most concerned about global warming

The Batti Bandh (Lights Off) campaign was initiated by five young executives and was later joined by resident associations, corporates, NGOs and educational institutions.

The residents living in pockets of South Mumbai, Marine Drive, Worli and Bandra turned off their lights between 1930 hours to 2030 hours on Saturday as part of the campaign, inspired by a similar drive carried out in Sydney in March this year.

There were road shows and poster distribution to attract people to the campaign.

"We got a great response. We never expected a complete blackout. The main intention was to reach out people with the message of global warming and conservation of energy," one of the organisers, Neil Quraishi said.

Though the campaign got mixed response, the experts from power sector appreciated the effort. They thought that it was a good initiative to make people aware of global warming and conservation of energy but suggested meticulous planning to carry out the effort.

"The campaign was symbolic, there is actual need of sustainable initiatives," Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission Chairman Pramod Dev told PTI.

Image: Mumbai Mayor Shubha Raul's daughters reading in candle light.
Reportage: PTI | Photograph: Arun Patil