Plan of horse carriages for tourists dropped

The south Delhi civic agency, which was planning to re-introduce horse-drawn carriages to take tourists around historical monuments in the national capital, has withdrawn its plans in the face of opposition, an official said.

The plan faced stiff opposition from animal rights groups.

"The south Delhi municipal corporation (SDMC) which was planning to re-introduce horse-drawn carriages for tourism purposes has withdrawn it after an appeal by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)," said Manilal Valliyate, PETA's director of veterinary affairs.

In 2010, the civic agency phased out the age-old tongas (two-wheeled) carriages drawn by horses, ponies or mules.

Following PETA's appeal, RBS Tyagi, deputy director, veterinary services, SDMC said, "We are not allowing any horse-drawn carriages to transport tourists near historical monuments."

PETA welcomed the decision to drop the proposal, saying that whenever horses, mules or ponies were used to draw carriages, they were forced to pull heavy loads and often lived in atrocious conditions that harmed their health.