New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani pushes to end horse-drawn carriage industry after death of Indian teen Romanch Mahajan
The death of 18-year-old Indian teenager Romanch Mahajan after falling from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park has intensified calls for an end to the horse-drawn carriage industry, as there have been eight horse-related incidents in Central Park in the past 13 months, but this is the first death involving horse-drawn carriages since their introduction in Central Park more than 150 years ago. There have been calls to suspend horse-drawn carriages because they pose a public safety hazard in crowded areas, and other U.S. cities such as Chicago and San Antonio have also done so.Romanch Mahajan was on a family trip to celebrate his high school graduation when his mother fell, jumped out of the carriage and hit his head on the ground. The mother, father and younger son escaped with only minor injuries, while Romanchi Mahajan died. Their carriage hit another carriage and overturned.The family arrived in New York from India on Monday, the same day Romanchi learned he had been accepted into a college in Jaipur. They spent the day visiting many of the city’s popular tourist attractions and were relaxing in a horse-drawn carriage when the driver got out to take photos of them. A moment later, something unexpected happened.“This incident should be taken very seriously,” Mahajan said. “It took away my son’s dream.”The company that owned the carriage suspended the driver and decided to retire the horse from the industry. “We are absolutely shocked and devastated by this tragedy. We have never had a fatal accident like this before,” said Alexander Kemp, vice president of the Transportation Workers Union Local 100, the union that represents horse-drawn carriage drivers and owners. “We have closed the stables and ceased operations today while we have extensive internal discussions about safety protocols and how to improve them.“City Council leaders said they will hold hearings next month on Ryder’s law, which is backed by the conservancy. Mayor Zohran Mamdani also reiterated his support for ending the industry, a position he campaigned on last year. He said he would work with the commission, industry and animal welfare advocates to “achieve a just transition that protects workers while ending horse-drawn carriages in Central Park once and for all.”“The Transport Workers Union, which has opposed past efforts to shut down the industry, last week supported legislation that would put hitching posts throughout the park so drivers can safely tie up their horses, including at popular tourist photo spots.
