New Delhi: Tongas, the horse-drawn carriages
still much in use in the walled city of Delhi, will be phased
out soon with the civic authorities unveiling a rehabilitation
policy for their owners on Thursday.
Under the policy, which got the nod of MCD Standing
Committee today, more than 230 tonga-drivers will be given
alternative employment and the carriages will be banned -- a
move the MCD says will help ease traffic woes in the heavily
congested area and prevent cruelty to animals.
Tongas, driven by horses, mules or ponies, are used for
ferrying passengers and carrying load in Sadar Bazar and
Chandni Chowk areas of old Delhi.
Under the scheme, 170 tonga owners, holding single
licences in their names, will be provided 6 ft/4 ft open to
sky tehbazari (vending) sites. The benefit of the scheme is
also being extended to a maximum of three family members of
those tonga owners who have more than one licenses.
According to the provisions, 37 tonga owners will get
financial assistance for purchase for CNG goods carriages.
They will be given Rs 53,000 or one-third of the total cost of
the vehicle, former standing committee chairman Vijender Gupta
told reporters. For 26 unlicensed vendors, Rs 40,000 or
one-fourth of total cost of vehicle will be given, he said.
"The MCD will spend Rs 30 lakh for the rehabilitation
scheme," Standing Committee Chairman R K Singhal said. The
tonga owners union has been consulted and it has agreed to
avail the benefits of the policy, he said.
Bureau Report
