Tongas to go off Delhi roads after June 6

Tongas, the quaint horse-driven carriages, which were supposed to go off the capital's roads Monday as per orders of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), will continue their journey a little longer - they will now ply till June 6.

Tongas, the quaint horse-driven carriages, which were supposed to go off the capital's roads Monday as per orders of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), will continue their journey a little longer - they will now ply till June 6.

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MCD commissioner K.S. Mehra said: "Although the tongas were to go off the roads and most of their licences were to expire Monday, the MCD will allow them to ply till June 6."

"As a first step to phase out tongas, the civic agency has decided to close down the stable at Asaf Ali Road and convert it into a road. After removing the stable from Asaf Ali Road, we will take up other areas," Mehra told IANS.

Over 132 licensed tongas still ply in the city. The age-old transport which ferried passengers - often as many as six people besides the driver - can be spotted mainly in old Delhi areas like Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Trans-Yamuna areas, near Old Delhi Railway station, Sitaram Bazaar and Delhi Gate.

"The MCD is issuing 'tehbazari' permits (vending licences) to tongawallahs. With this arrangement, they will be given job options as vendors," the MCD commissioner said.