Crematoriums at Digha, Ghansoli to get R2.5- cr facelift

CBD BELAPUR: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has passed a proposal of Rs2.5 crore for the renovation of crematoriums in Digha and Ghansoli.

The central crematorium at Digha and the one in Gothivli at Ghansoli that have been in shambles for years now, will be transformed into ones with modern equipment within the next few months.

Tenders worth Rs1.79 crore for the Digha crematorium has been awarded to Swaraj Builders and Developers, who have been given nine months to complete the work. This will exclude the monsoon period.

NMMC city engineer Mohan Dagaonkar said, “The condition of the crematoriums is bad. While the burning shed has rusted, pillars have become weak.”

The work at the Digha crematorium will involve constructing a new burning shed, a sitting area, store room, gate etc. The renovation project will also include overall development of the area, the child burial ground, main gate, burning shed, sitting area, adequate water supply, disposal of sewage water and electrical connections.

Meanwhile, the Gothivli crematorium work will be carried out by Aditya Enterprises and is expected to cost Rs36.26 lakh. The upgradation is expected to take about three months, excluding the monsoon.

At present, the Gothivli crematorium lacks basic amenities of an iron burning shed, toilets, water supply and a security guard’s cabin. The upgradation will involve construction of a store room, watchman’s cabin, toilet and RCC gutter.

“Since the sheds are not proper, rain water also falls on the burning stand. The seating arrangement, too, has collapsed. The storeroom windows and door are in a bad shape and since the storeroom itself is not proper stocking the wooden logs is a major problem,” he said.

Dagaonkar said that renovation would include repair of drains in the area which currently caused clogging and stagnating of rain water.

“The children’s burial ground will be fixed with paver blocks and a storm water drain will also be constructed,” said Dagaonkar.