The recent decision by the Sopore administration to bar tongas from the streets of Sopore town can be termed as “better late than never”. The decision has come at a time when the administration seems to have geared up to clear the growing traffic mess created by ever-increasing encroachers like cart vendors, vegetable hawkers and archaic horse-driven carriages (tongas) in the municipal area. Apple town Sopore has till now largely been abandoned and neglected by the authorities. It is often associated with the cliché of3R’s: Ropaye (money), Rub (slush), and Reade (horse cart). Without bragging about the first two R’s, I’m here to debate about the relevance of horse carts in contemporary times.
The ban on tongas needs to be applauded instead of opposed by denizens of Sopore. Being someone who has studied and worked in Sopore for some time, I have developed a good rapport with some saner voices from Sopore with whom I often discuss issues that are ailing the social set-up of Sopore. The recent ban on tongas has come like a bolt from the blue for many. In response to this ban, many of my all-weather friends erupted like an active volcano on social media, terming the ban as a cultural assault on Sopore, and also an economic one which could directly lead to snatching of the livelihood of 200 families.
With due respect to the cultural sentiments of my Sopore friends, I will try to play the devil’s advocate here. I will oppose their arguments and support this ban. Personally, I am surprised by the contradictory behaviour of the same people who used to cry foul over being neglected by erstwhile governments, as they are today trying to put hurdles in the way of development of Sopore by opposing this ban, more out of emotion than out of reason. If we think sensibly, it is not only the tonga wallas who have been at the receiving end of this administrative order but many cart retailers and vegetable vendors, who have been illegally occupying roads for decades and now have been forced to vacate. But this has become necessary to facilitate smooth movement of traffic on the town’s congested roads.
No doubt the tonga is more than a horse cart for Sopore wallahs and it is part of their cultural folklore. Many well-off families still prefer to travel short-distance by tongas in times when we are seeing a boom of cars. The tonga becomes a cynosure in the cramped and crowded streets of Sopore, or when meandering around narrow alleys of Sopore. But one must remember the law of nature: the only thing permanent in this world is Change. One can’t but succumb to this force called change and if we try to stop change from happening, it will find its way like the flowing water of a stream.
Next, one can’t deny the fact that everything loses its shine and sheen with time. The same has happened with these horse-driven carriages; they can’t keep pace with modern vehicles, which are outpacing this traditional ride in being more time-effective and comfortable for travel. In western countries they are planning to replace conventional vehicles run on petrol and diesel with eco-friendly electrical vehicles, but here we are putting the cart before the horse by trying to justify relevance of tangas in 21st century. The tongas are not battling with administration for survival; in reality, they are fighting with the changed times for survival.
Now coming to the cultural aspect, how can it be a cultural assault if the cons outweigh the pros. Ask any pedestrian walking on the streets or a person driving a vehicle in Sopore, how much inconvenience the tongas cause, and the reply will be: The tongas don’t follow any traffic rules, they stop in the middle of the road, and there is no designated parking space (adaa) for them. The tongas can be seen parked at random places on the road. Just a few months back, while driving in Sopore, I dared to ask a tonga wallah about his wrong parking on the road. His response was beyond my expectations. Instead of listening to and acting on my gentle request, he pounced upon me with a barrage of cuss words. The irony is that he didn’t spare my vehicle, too; he called it a “LOANA GAEED” from J&K Bank.
An even bigger issue is the foul-smelling excreta of horses scattered on roads and pavements. It’s simply unacceptable in these times when we cannot afford to be victims of communicable diseases caused by poor. Regarding rehabilitation of these cart drivers, the authorities have already plans in mind. They will be provided alternate sources of employment in the form of auto rickshaws that will add value to their income and status. So, for larger good of Sopore town, we have to swallow this bitter pill. I am sure that this step taken by the administration will prove to be a harbinger for the development of Sopore.

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MALIK JAVID