Victoria era ends: The rein is over for Mumbai’s horse-drawn carriages

Victorias date back to the 18th century, when they were an important mode of public transport in the Bombay Presidency. Over the years, a ride on the open carriages became a popular attraction that took tourists to south Mimbai’s landmarks, such as the Taj Hotel, Marine Drive and the Gateway of India. The ban allows the police to fine drivers like this one for plying, but let them run anyway as there is no alternative in place. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT PHOTO)

Updated on: Nov 04, 2016 3:26 PM IST

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Victorias date back to the 18th century, when they were an important mode of public transport in the Bombay Presidency. Over the years, a ride on the open carriages became a popular attraction that took tourists to south Mimbai’s landmarks, such as the Taj Hotel, Marine Drive and the Gateway of India. The ban allows the police to fine drivers like this one for plying, but let them run anyway as there is no alternative in place. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT PHOTO)

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A Victoria driver takes a solitary lunch on his carriage. These drivers live on the carriages. They eat, sleep and spend all their time on the Victorias. Decked up in plastic flowers and LED lights, the carriages do run but the question mark on their future has left many such operators clueless. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT PHOTO)

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Basheer Sheikh, 32, is in charge of cleaning up his stable on P D’Mello Road, and taking care of his horse Bijlee. “I have no idea how my life is going to change now.” The court order came after an animal rights groups filed a petition saying the horses were denied adequate rest and kept in poor conditions. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT PHOTO)

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Victoria operators groom their horses in a stable on P D’Mello Road before taking them out. The high court in June last year ordered that all stables must be closed down and directed civic authorities to come up with a plan to gve the owners and drivers an alternative source of income. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT PHOTO)

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A horse enjoys its operator’s pat. These animals have been used to pull Victorias for a long time and now the operators look at a separation. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT PHOTO)

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Champa gets a wash before she pulls her carriage on Marine Drive. In a bid to smoothly phase out the Victorias, the Maharashtra government plans to offer hawking, autorickshaw and taxi licences to at least half the owners and drivers. The government is still mulling options for the other operators. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT PHOTO)

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A driver checks his horse’s hooves before a ride. The state is drawing up a list of NGOs that can take care of horses like this one, which will be separated from its owner once the Victorias are phased out. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT PHOTO)

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A carriage operator cleans his Victoria before rush-hour. The carriages are styled like those used during Queen Victoria’s times. Most of them are silver coloured with ornate designs; some owners customise their Victorias, fixing them with psychedelic LED lights. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT PHOTO)

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The Victorias have for decades contributed to the cultural iconography of Mumbai, reminding Mumbaiites of a time their city was a much different place. The court order will certainly take them off the roads, but with the government still thinking up rehabilitation options, their operators stare at an uncertain future. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT PHOTO)

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Victorias wait for customers. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT PHOTO)

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As they go whizzing past the city’s colourful facades, it still remains a question if their future will gallop at the same pace. (Vijayanand Gupta/HT PHOTO)