Horse carriage drivers struggle to make ends meet

Mumbai: Victoria carriage owners and drivers affected by the ban imposed by the Bombay high court say life after the ban has become difficult as their income has been reduced to a fourth of what they used to earn when the Victorias were allowed to ply on roads.

The affected say that rather than a complete ban they would prefer to have permission to ply the Victorias after 8 pm when the traffic dwindles in the South Mumbai area.

According to an owner, on any given day, a Victoria fetched them between Rs 2,400 and Rs 3,000 out of which the owner and driver split the amount as per a pre-determined ratio.

The owners’ share included the expenses for the upkeep of the horse and its treatment and so on. However, now since the carriages are not allowed they are forced to offer horse rides for children, which fetch only Rs 500-600 per day.

“Many people are hesitant to take horse rides as the horses are only walking. Due to this there are few takers. However, as we have to take care of the horses and feed them too, we have no option but to take out the horses,” said Muttu Swamy, horse ride provider.

Another horse ride provider Suraj Teli at Five Gardens Matunga said, “The rides barely cover the cost of feeding the horse. The remaining amount is kept by me, of which I have to pay the owner a lumpsum amount every month. It is difficult to make ends meet, but we manage somehow, as we do not know anything else,” he said.

In light of the hardships, a Victoria owner said, “We are willing to abide by any of the rules as long as we are permitted to ply the carriages. We do not mind plying them after office hours when the traffic is less.”