Not on Mumbai’s roads anymore, then why are Victorias in the news? All you need to know

Mumbai city news: Gone off the roads, but not the memory. A few things you need to know about Mumbai’s famed Victorias

The Maharashtra cabinet on Monday approved a rehabilitation proposal for Victoria owners and drivers. Here’s all you need to know about city’s famed Victorias

The Victorias have been banned in the city. (File)

THE HISTORY

Victorias date back to the 18th century, when they were an important mode of public transport in the Bombay Presidency

A man takes a ride on Victoria in Mumbai. (HT File)

Over the years, a ride on open carriages became a popular attraction that took tourists to south Mumbai’s landmarks, such as the Taj Hotel, Marine Drive and the Gateway of India

WHY THE BAN

The Bombay high court in June 2015 directed the state government to ban the horse-drawn carriages and rehabilitate their operators by December 2015

Reason: The cruel treatment meted out to the horses

An injured Victoria horse. (HT File)

THE TRIGGER

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) submitted a report to the chief secretary of Maharashtra on the cruel way in which the horses are made to haul carriages and advised it to immediately phase the carriages out by rehabilitating its operators

THE STATUS

91 owners of Victorias will be given a compensation of Rs3 lakh

130 Victoria drivers will be given a compensation of Rs1 lakh

They will be given a hawker licence in south Mumbai

A state committee will plan the rehabilitation of the horses, with help from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and NGOs.