Ghoda Chaalak Mahasangh’s Decades-Long Wait for Rain Shelters

It has been years since the Horse Riders Union(Ghoda Chalak Union) have been promised for construction of the rain shelters for their bread-earning horses.  The issue is especially during the rainy seasons and the winters, as the mercury goes below the expected, making the voiceless shiver. During the cold days, the horses remain standing with a rain coat for them to be the sole support

Unfulfilled Promises: The 40-Year Struggle for Basic Infrastructure

Notably, since 1992, the union has been calling for the same rain shelters.

Additionally, the voiceless are the ones that force tourists to ride or want to snap a picture in order to get a sense of how old things were, as well as how the crown rulers formerly wandered the old streets., added a rider Karan.

Official Assurances vs. Ground Reality: 

Manveer( member of the Union) said that “the team has been assured several times regarding constructing the same shelter. Even the High Court Shimla has issued an order for it. He continued further.

Another rider Rihan said that the Mayor Shimla, Surender Chauhan has had recently promised the Union that the shelters would be built in addition to the Padam Dev Market’s renovation. 

Despite the fact that the area where the horses rest has potholes, the government has only nodded in agreement to the long-awaited idea of shelters.

Impact on Horse Riders: Daily Challenges and Economic Hardship

According to Manga, “each horse that we tame requires 15–20k per month in feed, which the riders must provide. After that, if the horse becomes sick or doesn’t feel well, it could make our livelihood very difficult; therefore, we must look after our buddies, to keep our bread and butter going.” 

Renewed Demands for Immediate Construction

The demands have been left unfulfilled since ‘92’, and needs to be soon fulfilled , before December’s blistering cold. 

Stickers stuck on the original prices, issued by MC. 

It’s observed that the original price list issued by the Municipal Corporation has been dubbed with stickers. The new price stickers are stuck over the old stickers leading to higher payment that needs to be paid to the Ghoda Chalak Mahasangh via the innocent tourists .