3 electric crematoriums defunct as BMC looks for natural gas option
By Alka Dhupkar
Three of the city’s 11 BMC-run electric crematoriums at Marine Lines, Bhoiwada and Shivaji Park are on the blink, forcing families of deceased to opt for other crematoriums including those that use wood. In all, the civic body runs 61 crematoriums in the city while there are 136 private ones. All electric crematoriums are operated by BMC.
The electric crematorium at Chandanwadi, Marine Lines has been under repair since several days, said employee Shivaji Devare. “The norm for service her is on a first-come, first-served basis. Out of the two units, one electric cemetery is not working. Relatives have to wait for their turn. More often than not, they decide to not wait and get it done using a wooden pyre,” Devare said.
A F Gupta, Chief Executive Engineer with the Mechanical & Engineering department, said, “We are aware of this problem. Sometimes, the number of dead bodies is higher than the daily average of 12. Keeping all the issues in mind, we have planned Piped Natural Gas (PNG) crematoriums at seven places which will be started in April as a pilot project, and will eventually replace electric crematoriums. Cremation using PNG will take less time than electric and wood.”
He added the electric crematoriums at Bhoiwada and Chandanwadi are under repair and are expected to be back in working order soon, while structural concerns have been raised at the Shivaji Park one.
Three of the city’s 11 BMC-run electric crematoriums at Marine Lines, Bhoiwada and Shivaji Park are on the blink, forcing families of deceased to opt for other crematoriums including those that use wood. In all, the civic body runs 61 crematoriums in the city while there are 136 private ones. All electric crematoriums are operated by BMC.
The electric crematorium at Chandanwadi, Marine Lines has been under repair since several days, said employee Shivaji Devare. “The norm for service her is on a first-come, first-served basis. Out of the two units, one electric cemetery is not working. Relatives have to wait for their turn. More often than not, they decide to not wait and get it done using a wooden pyre,” Devare said.
After paying a visit to the defunct electric crematorium at Bhoiwada, Congress MLA from Wadala Kalidas Kolambakar said, “I have spoken to the authorities. They have promised me to repair it and get it going within two weeks. I am also trying to get repairs done for the children’s cemetery since several days. BMC should solve these sensitive problems at the earliest.”
A F Gupta, Chief Executive Engineer with the Mechanical & Engineering department, said, “We are aware of this problem. Sometimes, the number of dead bodies is higher than the daily average of 12. Keeping all the issues in mind, we have planned Piped Natural Gas (PNG) crematoriums at seven places which will be started in April as a pilot project, and will eventually replace electric crematoriums. Cremation using PNG will take less time than electric and wood.”
He added the electric crematoriums at Bhoiwada and Chandanwadi are under repair and are expected to be back in working order soon, while structural concerns have been raised at the Shivaji Park one.
