<p>MCD commissioner K.S. Mehra said: "Although the tongas were to go off the roads and most of their licences were to expire Monday, the MCD will allow them to ply till June 6."<br /><br />"As a first step to phase out tongas, the civic agency has decided to close down the stable at Asaf Ali Road and convert it into a road. After removing the stable from Asaf Ali Road, we will take up other areas," Mehra told IANS.<br /><br />Over 132 licensed tongas still ply in the city. The age-old transport which ferried passengers - often as many as six people besides the driver - can be spotted mainly in old Delhi areas like Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Trans-Yamuna areas, near Old Delhi Railway station, Sitaram Bazaar and Delhi Gate.<br /><br />"The MCD is issuing 'tehbazari' permits (vending licences) to tongawallahs. With this arrangement, they will be given job options as vendors," the MCD commissioner said.<br /></p>
<p>MCD commissioner K.S. Mehra said: "Although the tongas were to go off the roads and most of their licences were to expire Monday, the MCD will allow them to ply till June 6."<br /><br />"As a first step to phase out tongas, the civic agency has decided to close down the stable at Asaf Ali Road and convert it into a road. After removing the stable from Asaf Ali Road, we will take up other areas," Mehra told IANS.<br /><br />Over 132 licensed tongas still ply in the city. The age-old transport which ferried passengers - often as many as six people besides the driver - can be spotted mainly in old Delhi areas like Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Trans-Yamuna areas, near Old Delhi Railway station, Sitaram Bazaar and Delhi Gate.<br /><br />"The MCD is issuing 'tehbazari' permits (vending licences) to tongawallahs. With this arrangement, they will be given job options as vendors," the MCD commissioner said.<br /></p>
