Srinagar, Apr 8: In a scene reflecting bygone era, the sound of hooves echoed through parts of Downtown Srinagar as a traditional tonga buggy reappeared on the city’s busy roads, drawing curious glances and a wave of nostalgia among residents.
The revival of the traditional mode of transport has been spearheaded by 70-year-old Ghulam Rasool Kumar, a resident of Habba Kadal, who once ferried passengers across Srinagar during the heyday of tongas in the 1960s. Decades after the practice faded into obscurity, Kumar has returned to his old profession, driven not by sentiment alone but by the pressing need to earn a livelihood.
“This is my decades-old profession,” Kumar said standing beside his freshly repaired buggy. “I started this work in the 1960s when tongas were the main mode of transport. From officials to students, everyone relied on them. Later, times changed, and I had to leave it.”
Kumar said he spent years doing labour work after tongas disappeared from Srinagar’s roads in the late 1980s. However, failing health and limited opportunities pushed him back to what he knew best. “I arranged this tonga with borrowed resources, repaired it, and decided to try my luck again. It is not easy, but I had no other option,” he said.
Kumar’s return has not gone unnoticed. As he navigates the bustling lanes of downtown and other parts of the city, passersby stop to watch, many tourists taking photos while some even opt for a short ride.
Recalling the “golden days,” Kumar said tongas once symbolised both utility and status. “We used to ferry tourists, even foreigners, along the downtown areas. It was a respectable profession. People preferred tongas for comfort and reliability,” he said, adding that he still possesses documents and licenses from that era.
For many residents, the sight has stirred memories. “It feels like childhood has returned. We grew up seeing tongas. It is heartening, but I don’t know how practical it is today in Srinagar,” said Farooq Ahmad, a local in Downtown. “
Commuters expressed mixed reactions. While some welcomed the initiative as a cultural revival, others raised concerns about its feasibility amid increasing traffic congestion. “Even two-wheelers struggle in peak hours. Introducing tongas on busy roads could create more chaos,” said a commuter.
However, several residents suggested that such services could be developed as a niche tourist experience rather than a mainstream mode of transport. “In many European cities, horse carriages are used for tourism. Srinagar can also promote it that way,” Furkan, a university student, said.
Despite the challenges, Kumar remains hopeful. Having endured personal tragedies, including the loss of two sons, he said the tonga is now his means of survival.
To mention, today, tongas have largely vanished from Kashmir, with only a few still operating in parts of north Kashmir’s Sopore.
As app-based cab services and smart buses dominate Srinagar’s transport landscape, Kumar’s tonga cuts a contrasting figure.
