Soon,bridegrooms will not be the only ones entitled to horse rides in the Capital. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has proposed to update its licensing scheme for animal-drawn carriages,allowing people to rent out their buggies to tourists at places such as Red Fort,Jama Masjid,Old Fort,Humayuns Tomb and Hazrat Nizamuddin. It will be like Kolkata,where one can enjoy buggy rides outside the Victoria Memorial. At present,horse-drawn carriages are only used for marriage ceremonies. But if the Bill is passed,they can be used for tourism as well, said Deep Mathur,MCD spokesperson. The proposal,which was placed before the MCD Standing Committee meeting on Tuesday,said that very few horse-pulled buggies are licensed. The new policy has been formulated to promote licensing among animal owners as well as guarantee proper care for the animals. Once animal owners come to know that they can earn money through tourism,they will opt for licences. Only licensed buggies will be allowed to ply for tourists, added an official. Modalities such as establishment of routes,fare structure and passenger limit would be finalised in consultation with the Department of Tourism,GNCTD. The policy mentions that only owners who have provided horses with a proper shelter will be given licences. It also stipulates that the animal must be well-maintained,and provided with adequate food and ventilation. However,Mathur said implementation of the proposal will take some time. The Standing Committee will have to pass the Bill,which will then go to the MCD House for final approval. Only then will it be implemented, he said. Members could not discuss the proposal on Tuesday due to the disruption of the Standing Committee meet over the Ekta Yatra issue. The bill was formulated by the Veterinary department of the MCD. According to its records,only 138 of the total horse buggies in Delhi are registered. In order to have a proper record of horse buggies plying for ceremonial purposes,and regulate them,a proper policy for licence issuance is essential, the proposal read. The proposal added that only four-wheeled buggies will be given licences,as two-wheeled ones are classified as tongas,which have already been phased out by the MCD.
