PATHANKOT : Former Pathankot mayor Panna Lal Bhatia has proposed naming a road after Romanch Mahajan, the 18-year-old Pathankot youth whose death in a horse-drawn carriage accident in New York prompted legislation to ban such rides in the American city.While talking to TOI on Friday Bhatia said the proposal would be taken up if the Congress returned to power in the Pathankot Municipal Corporation.Describing it as a matter of pride for the entire country that a Punjabi youth had earned international recognition, Bhatia said Romanch’s act of bravery has been recognised by the United States, the world’s superpower and his name had become immortal through his courage.He appealed to other political parties to ensure that the young man was honoured in a befitting manner, irrespective of which party came to power in the civic body.Bhatia suggested that, besides a road, a square or another prominent public place in Pathankot could also be named after Romanch as a tribute to him.Romanch, 18, was visiting New York with his family in June when the horse pulling their carriage bolted, resulting in his death.The tragedy renewed calls by animal welfare organisations to end horse-drawn carriage rides in the city, where concerns had been raised for years over the safety of passengers, pedestrians and horses.According to reports, the New York City Council on Thursday passed Romanch’s Law, by a vote of 40-7, with two abstentions. The legislation will make operating horse-drawn carriages illegal in the city from June 2028 .The law was named after Romanch, whose death became a focal point in the campaign against horse-drawn carriages in New York.Bhatia said Romanch deserved to be remembered in his hometown, too, and expressed hope that civic leaders would rise above party considerations to honour him.The proposal comes amid an uncertain political situation in the Pathankot Municipal Corporation. Of its 50 seats, the BJP holds 22, the Congress 18 and the Aam Aadmi Party 10, leaving no party with a majority as Bhatia,s tenure as mayor ended on April 28 and since then there is no clear majority to any political party. Eom
