SDMC to set up Cng-based furnaces in 2 of its cremation centres

NEW DELHI: Amid reports of pile-ups at various mortuaries and delay in their disposal due to unavailability of adequate numbers of CNG furnaces at the cremation centres, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation has decided to set up Cng-based furnaces at two of its cremation centres — Subhash Nagar and Green Park in South Delhi respectively. The Corporation aims to dispose of more bodies since the number of COVID-19 deaths are on the rise.

“The Delhi government has directed an increase in the number of crematoriums to accommodate bodies. There are reports of bodies being returned too. Hence, it has been decided to set up Cng-based infrastructure in the two grounds run by the civic body,” said Bhupendar Gupta, Chairman of Standing Committee in South MCD.

“The civic body will try to install pyres as soon as possible,” he said.

There were also reports of a few bodies not being cremated due to lack of adequate infrastructure and staff, with families having to wait for pretty long at the Nigambodh Ghat where three out of six CNG furnaces are non-functional.

The SDMC said the three Corporations were using only

CNG furnaces to dispose of the bodies of Covid positive patients. They are available at Nigambodh Ghat that could dispose of 18 bodies every day while four CNG furnaces are available at Punjabi Bagh cremation ground that can dispose of 24 bodies every day.

In addition to these, bodies were also being disposed of at the burial grounds at Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, Mangolpuri, Madanpur Khadar and Mangolpuri Christian Burial Ground. There was no refusal, queues or pending bodies at any of the crematoriums or burial grounds.

Keeping in view the increasing number of Corona positive cases, a decision was taken by the all three Corporations to allow the cremation on wood pyres also at Punjabi Bagh, Nigambodh Ghat, Panchkuiyan Road, Karkardooma cremation grounds and electric cremation at Lodhi Road Crematorium with the capacity of about 20-22; 15-16; 8-10; 6-8 and 5-6 respectively.

The cremation facilities are available between 7 am to 10 pm and due to this, the Corporations have increased the disposal capacity of cremation to 95-100 bodies per day from the earlier capacity of 45. As per the above facts, all the three Corporations can dispose of around 95-100 bodies per day.